The Greek Government assured the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that projects crucial to the success of the Athens Games, including the suburban railway, and the tram and public construction works will be ready by the end of June. And by mid-July the main Olympic stadium complex will be handed over to organizers. Also, the station that will link the new suburban railway with the existing electric railway network will be completed.
Greece has criticized a warning issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs for Australians travelling to Greece that alerted Australians to the increased threat of terrorism following last week’s bombings. Public Order Minister Yiorgos Voulgarakis told a news conference the warning was “exaggerated” and “empty of substance”. He announced that 70,000 security personnel would be on hand for the Games, outnumbering athletes by about seven to one.
Spectators attending the August 18 shot-put event at the original Olympic venue in Olympia are asked not to bring any food or drinks to the event except for a single bottle of water. And Parasols will be banned. The 15,000 spectators expected will sit on the stadiums original grassy banks although VIP’s may get seats. Admission is free.
A two-euro Olympics commemorative coin issued Wednesday by Greece will go into circulation on May 13 and will be legal tender throughout the 12 countries that use the Euro. The coins are the first commemorative Olympics coin to be denominated in euros in the hopes of raising money for the Athens Games. Athens expects to raise 100 million euros from the proceeds. The coin has one normal side, and depicts the discus thrower, a renowned ancient Greek sculpture, on the other side. The outer ring of the coin has the euro zone’s 12 stars surrounding the athlete and includes the logo of the Athens 2004 Games with the Olympic rings and the two euro denomination.
And finally, a small fire broke out at the Olympic International Broadcast Center at the main Olympic complex, north of central Athens on Tuesday. It was extinguished by the building’s sprinkler system. The fire department said the blaze was apparently started by overheated electrical wiring in a basement storage area.
