A Peaceful Sporting Festival?

Despite the fact that, so we are all told, the Olympics Games are about peace and friendly competition between nations; approximately $1.2BN has been spent on security for the 2004 Olympics Games in Athens.

Nothwithstanding the above, people still seem to be nervous.

Particularly the Americans who are contemplating, so it is rumoured, pulling out at the 11th hour.

In my view this would be a very foolish message to send to the world; in effect it would be saying "we, the citizens of the US, are afraid to interact with the rest of the world".

To help the US get over its nerves the Games will have an estimated 70,000 security personnel on duty, NATO will be helping out and others such as; Russia and the UK will be sending their security people into the general melee as well.

However, it seems that there are a few glitches that the organisers need to attend to. On Thursday a handful of UK and German journalists strolled round the main stadium for a while, before being stopped.

It's The Money Stupid

I see that the biggest ever Olympic Store has opened, in a shopping centre in Athens. It has around 700 square metres of selling space.

This is enough space to contain all the trivia, trinkets and associated bits and pieces that go to make the modern day Olympics what it is today; a massive marketing exercise in brand and product placement.

But don't forget, in spite of the massive commercialisation, the Games are still about sport and competition between "amateurs".

Yeah right!

Delphic Reasoning

It seems that, with a logic that only terrorists can come up with, a Greek fringe group calling itself the "Revolutionary Struggle" has claimed responsibility for three bomb blasts in Athens last week.

The reasons for the attack, according to the group, were to protest against the heavy security measures ahead of the Olympics.

The group is claiming to be concerned about "Greece's transformation into a fortress". Their other worries are; NATO's involvement and the involvemnet of various intelligence agencies.

They feel that the Olympics are turning into a war, rather than a sporting event.

Maybe guys, if you stop letting off bombs the Olympics may feel less like a war? Just a thought!

Pop Goes The Weasel

It seems that the cost of hosting the Olympics will push the Greek government's budget deficit over the EU limit for 2004.

Slightly embarrassing, as Greece "busted" the limit last year as well.

The Greek Economics Minister George Alogoskoufis has assured the EU that they will try to stay within the limits in 2005.

I don't think he needs to worry, the EU "Stability Pact" is routinely ignored by other members of the EU; without suffering any more than a mild rebuke from the "Gnomes" in Brussels.

The cost of the Olympics is expected to be around 2.5BN Euros, a staggering 1BN Euros over budget.

By the way, that cost does not include the expense of building the infrastructure (such as new rail links etc); to cope with the influx of people expected to attend the Olympics in Athens.

Let's hope the organisation of the security and logistics is better than the financial management!

It is reported that the USA's Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Tom Ridge, believes that more work is required on security matters for the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

He aired his views whilst meeting with the Greek Public Order Minister, Yiorgos Voulgarakis, during the latter's visit to Washington.

The USA is willing to help with security, if invited by Greece to do so.

The Greek Tourism Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos is reported to have said that "Greece is a safe destination. The noise made across the world (about the attacks) was louder than the one created by the firecrackers that went off."

So that's alright then.

Welcome to "The Village"

Good news, the Athens Olympic Village at the foot of Mount Parnitha, will open 3 weeks before the Olympic Games start.

Over 16,000 athletes and their entourages will be accommodated there.

Some statistics:

• 2292 air conditioned apartments


• 10000 staff


• 71 days days of life, until it closes on 1 October


• Multi faith; Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Jew and Hindu, will all have places for prayer and counseling


• Restaurants a plenty, from kosher to halal


• Shopping mall facilities including; a museum, shops, a bank, a library, a post office, hairdressers, snack bars, internet cafes, video games rooms and massage rooms.

Needless to say, it also has some athletic facilities; should the contestants feel the need to "stretch their legs".

Once the Olympic Games are over, the area will be used for low cost public housing.

Smoke and Mirrors

Much like a conjurer seeking to dazzle his audience, the authorities in Greece managing the Athens Olympics are hoping to distract the eyes of the world wide audience away from the unfinished buildings and eyesores; by using banners to cover the buildings.

A team of graphic designers has been hired to manage the building dressing.

It is estimated that over 6500 banners will be used, plus a vast swathe of fabric to cover fences and other "bits and pieces".

The banners will be up between July and October whilst the Olympic Games are being held.

I wonder if the ordinary citizens of Athens are impressed by this "tart's dressing"?