And so it begins; the Olympic flame has been lit in Sydney Australia, from a lantern flown in from Greece.
The Olympic flame will now travel the globe, and visit the world's Olympic cities.
Cathy Freemen, who lit the Sydney Olympic cauldron in 2000, had the honour of first holding the flame. The flame is symbolic of the hope, more important today than ever, of the Olympics bringing the world together.
The flame was carried by 144 different people, it will now be returned to the lantern; and flown on to Melbourne, then Tokyo and another 31 cities before the start of the Games on the 13th of August.
Saturday, June 05, 2004
Friday, June 04, 2004
Peace and Goodwill
In the true spirit of the Olympic Games, Greece has steadfastly refused to officially allow foreign security services to sport weapons outside the designated secure zones. The Greek constitution prevents foreigners from bearing arms.
However, the reality will be somewhat different. The Greeks have admitted that whilst they will not condone the carrying of weapons, there is nothing they can do to prevent it; unless they want the US, UK and Israelis to walk out of the games.
The Greek government, of course, still officially denies that delegations will have their own security teams.
However, the Greek media have smelt a rat; and have reported that there is a secret agreement between the Greek government and the USA, to allow US armed security teams into Greece.
What price the peaceful fellowship of the Games?
In other news, there was a rumour circulating in the Greek press that Mr Souflias (the Public Works Minister) has been advising the Greek government to postpone the start of the games; from the planned opening date of the 13th of August.
Mr Souflias has strenuously denied this, saying that the report was a hoax.
So I can still book my trip then?
However, the reality will be somewhat different. The Greeks have admitted that whilst they will not condone the carrying of weapons, there is nothing they can do to prevent it; unless they want the US, UK and Israelis to walk out of the games.
The Greek government, of course, still officially denies that delegations will have their own security teams.
However, the Greek media have smelt a rat; and have reported that there is a secret agreement between the Greek government and the USA, to allow US armed security teams into Greece.
What price the peaceful fellowship of the Games?
In other news, there was a rumour circulating in the Greek press that Mr Souflias (the Public Works Minister) has been advising the Greek government to postpone the start of the games; from the planned opening date of the 13th of August.
Mr Souflias has strenuously denied this, saying that the report was a hoax.
So I can still book my trip then?
Thursday, June 03, 2004
Who Pays?
It seems that all is not well in South Korean Olympic circles.
It is reported that the head of the South Korean Olympic Committee, Un Yong Kim, has been found guilty of bribery and embezzlement by court in Seoul. He will now serve 2 years in jail.
I thought that the Olympics was not meant to be about money?
I hope that the people of Greece have that attitude; as it seems that the Greek government's estimate of the cost of holding the Olympics, originally 2.5BN Euros now 4.6BN Euros, may still be way off target.
PWC estimate that there may be another 1.9BN Euros unaccounted for in Greece's budget.
It seems that the citizens of Greece will be paying for these games long after the Olympic flame has been extinguished.
It is reported that the head of the South Korean Olympic Committee, Un Yong Kim, has been found guilty of bribery and embezzlement by court in Seoul. He will now serve 2 years in jail.
I thought that the Olympics was not meant to be about money?
I hope that the people of Greece have that attitude; as it seems that the Greek government's estimate of the cost of holding the Olympics, originally 2.5BN Euros now 4.6BN Euros, may still be way off target.
PWC estimate that there may be another 1.9BN Euros unaccounted for in Greece's budget.
It seems that the citizens of Greece will be paying for these games long after the Olympic flame has been extinguished.
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
Bums on Seats
At the end of the day the name of the game is to ensure that the Olympics in Athens are fully attended, and that there are no empty seats.
The Athens 2004 Olympic organisers gave an update of the seat sales yesterday.
In summary:
Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Marton Simitsek, in a candid admission pointed out that doing things at the last minute, including buying tickets, is typical of Greece.
If you want to buy tickets the prices are as follows:
The Athens 2004 Olympic organisers gave an update of the seat sales yesterday.
In summary:
- The total number of tickets sold as at 16 April is 1833919
- The total face value of the tickets sold is Euro137M (approx 75% of budgeted sales)
Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Marton Simitsek, in a candid admission pointed out that doing things at the last minute, including buying tickets, is typical of Greece.
If you want to buy tickets the prices are as follows:
- Opening Ceremony: limited number of tickets in price categories Á (Euro950), Â (Euro750) and C (Euro350)
- Closing Ceremony: limited number of tickets in price categories Á (Euro750), Â (Euro500) and C (Euro100)
- Men's Basketball Finals (Gold Medal and Bronze Medal matches): limited number of tickets in price categories A (Euro300) and B (Euro150)
- 64% of the tickets remaining (2250000) cost less than Euro20
- 43% of the tickets remaining (1500000) cost Euro10 or Euro15
Monday, May 31, 2004
The Blame Culture
It is reported that Greece's new finance minister, Giorgos Alogoskoufis, has admitted that the cost of hosting the Olympic games in Athens this year is higher than expected.
He has also said that the rewards are less than Greece anticipated.
In a fine example of "high politics" he has blamed the previous socialist administration for the delays and cost overruns. Alogoskoufis's party defeated them in the March elections, and now have the pleasure of getting the preparations on track for the opening on the 13th of August.
Greece was awarded the Olympics in 1997, but adopting a "laid back attitude"; did not start work on construction and other important areas until 2000. This was only at the behest of the IOC, who warned them they games were in danger.
It seems that the estimated costs have risen by a "whopping" $1.19 billion, on top of this the delays in construction have damaged Greece's "brand value".
Why do countries still bother trying to hold these?
It is reported that Greece's new finance minister, Giorgos Alogoskoufis, has admitted that the cost of hosting the Olympic games in Athens this year is higher than expected.
He has also said that the rewards are less than Greece anticipated.
In a fine example of "high politics" he has blamed the previous socialist administration for the delays and cost overruns. Alogoskoufis's party defeated them in the March elections, and now have the pleasure of getting the preparations on track for the opening on the 13th of August.
Greece was awarded the Olympics in 1997, but adopting a "laid back attitude"; did not start work on construction and other important areas until 2000. This was only at the behest of the IOC, who warned them they games were in danger.
It seems that the estimated costs have risen by a "whopping" $1.19 billion, on top of this the delays in construction have damaged Greece's "brand value".
Why do countries still bother trying to hold these?
Sunday, May 30, 2004
Hanging On The Telephone
It seems that issues with regard to site construction and security aren't the only causes for concern, as preparations continue for the Olympics 2004 being hosted in Athens.
In a rather unwise move (to my view), only one company has been given the contract to supply all the communications infrastructure for the games. The infrastructure will have to feed a news hungry world-wide audience, estimated to be 4BN.
Putting all your eggs in one basket is a high risk strategy, which may not pay off.
The telecommunications infrastructure has to provide services to 60 Olympic facilities in Athens, and the rest of Greece. A network has to be built to carry a broadcast signal from all Olympic facilities to the international broadcast centre, which houses over 1500 fiber-optic cables.
43000 phone lines will have to be set up, along with 6000 high-speed computer connections and 5000 broadband data connections. Secure lines also have to be put in place for the police, and other emergency services.
The telecom infrastructure, used by ordinary Greek citizens and visitors, has to be up the task of handling the load during the games as well.
The company entrusted with this Herculean task is OTE.
Rumours are circulating that there have been setbacks and delays in their efforts to finish on schedule. Greek newspapers have reported that they have only completed 50% of their scheduled tasks.
However, OTE are confident that everything will be alright on the night; and blamed the situation on the delays in building construction, not their responsibility.
It seems that issues with regard to site construction and security aren't the only causes for concern, as preparations continue for the Olympics 2004 being hosted in Athens.
In a rather unwise move (to my view), only one company has been given the contract to supply all the communications infrastructure for the games. The infrastructure will have to feed a news hungry world-wide audience, estimated to be 4BN.
Putting all your eggs in one basket is a high risk strategy, which may not pay off.
The telecommunications infrastructure has to provide services to 60 Olympic facilities in Athens, and the rest of Greece. A network has to be built to carry a broadcast signal from all Olympic facilities to the international broadcast centre, which houses over 1500 fiber-optic cables.
43000 phone lines will have to be set up, along with 6000 high-speed computer connections and 5000 broadband data connections. Secure lines also have to be put in place for the police, and other emergency services.
The telecom infrastructure, used by ordinary Greek citizens and visitors, has to be up the task of handling the load during the games as well.
The company entrusted with this Herculean task is OTE.
Rumours are circulating that there have been setbacks and delays in their efforts to finish on schedule. Greek newspapers have reported that they have only completed 50% of their scheduled tasks.
However, OTE are confident that everything will be alright on the night; and blamed the situation on the delays in building construction, not their responsibility.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)