The Greek government has postponed payment on a multi-million dollar security system being built by San Diego-based Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) because of government concerns that the system won’t be ready for the Aug.13 opening of the Games. SAIC is responsible for installing thousands of infrared and high-resolution cameras around Olympic venues, as well as a security communication and information and radio system for security services.
A nationwide poll published Sunday reveals that Greeks are overwhelmingly in favour of hosting the Olympic Games. The survey, published in the daily Eleftherotypia, found that 85 per cent of Greeks support hosting the Games, although 18.4 per cent admitted that at first they did not support the idea. The poll involved phone interviews with 1,500 people over the age of 18. According to the poll, 82 per cent of respondents believe the Games will be a success, 57.1 per cent don’t know when the Games start and 91.2 per cent said they still haven’t bought a ticket. Also 44.7 per cent said the organization of the Games would be very good and another 42.3 per cent said it would be quite good. And 73.9 per cent polled believe more money was spent than ought to have been.
Hundreds of demonstrators marched through central Athens and around the Acropolis Saturday as a symbolic protest against US and NATO involvement in security arrangements for the Games. The protest ended peacefully.
According to experts up to 15,000 stray dogs will be poisoned before next month’s Games so that the city looks “pristine”. Greek authorities are concerned that the sight of packs of dogs roaming the streets will damage the country’s image as being modern and civilized, said the RSPCA. Greek animal welfare groups say slaughter of the strays has already started. The authorities insist there will be no mass poisoning but Athens’ few dog shelters are already crowded.
