I understand that, aside from celebrating the muscular achievements of athletes, there will also be a celebration of international culture and art in Athens; this will be held alongside the Olympics 2004 in Athens.
This event, known as Articade 2004, will feature the work of artists from around the world; together with a display of culture from their respective countries.
The artists will, via their medium, try to represent the lives, problems and issues facing the citizens of their respective countries.
Artists were selected on the basis of two submissions they were invited to make, focusing on their countries socio-political background.
Saturday, June 12, 2004
Friday, June 11, 2004
007 Drops In
The original 007, aka Sir Sean Connery and his wife Lady Micheline Roquebrune Connery, dropped in on ATHENS 2004 President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki yesterday.
It is reported that the meeting was at the request of Sir Sean, who claims to be something of an aficionado on the subject of the Olympic preparations.
During a brief press conference Sir Sean noted that Mrs Angelopoulos had a very impressive personality, and that the presentation about the preparations for the Olympics 2004 was also impressive.
By all accounts they had a nice conversation.
Sir Sean hopes to be able to attend the Olympics at some stage. However, that is dependent on his film schedule.
He noted that Greece was different to other countries, a somewhat peculiar comment I feel, but that the Games will be successful.
It is reported that the meeting was at the request of Sir Sean, who claims to be something of an aficionado on the subject of the Olympic preparations.
During a brief press conference Sir Sean noted that Mrs Angelopoulos had a very impressive personality, and that the presentation about the preparations for the Olympics 2004 was also impressive.
By all accounts they had a nice conversation.
Sir Sean hopes to be able to attend the Olympics at some stage. However, that is dependent on his film schedule.
He noted that Greece was different to other countries, a somewhat peculiar comment I feel, but that the Games will be successful.
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Test Run
The Olympic stadium in Athens will be put through its paces today, as various track and field athletes will compete in front of a "guinea pig" audience of 8000.
Those of you with a mathematical bent, may wonder why a stadium with a capacity of 75000 is only going to accommodate 8000 for a test run.
The answer lies in the simple fact that out of the 75000 seats, only 8000 have been installed. That leaves 67000 to be installed by the start of the Olympic Games, in a little over 60 days time.
That means that a over 1000 seats a day need to be put into position, that should be manageable I think.
To some extent you would have thought that the basic infrastructure, such as the seating, would have been in place by now; given the fact that Greece has spent lavishly on this project. However, it seems that the more "sexy parts" of the construction have been diverting peoples' energies.
I understand that the spending, and lavish constructions, planned for the Olympics 2004 have not met with the approval of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC President, Jacques Rogge, has suggested that Greece has misdirected its efforts; and spent far too much on the forthcoming Olympic Games.
It is reported that he and the IOC had only ever wanted simple structures, that would be easy to put into place; and not cost the earth. Instead Greece went "hell for leather" and came up with a plethora of lavish designs and concepts, amongst others, the "whale's rib cage" roof for the Olympic Stadium. This retails at a very "reasonable" 190M Euros.
I think that in future the IOC will pick countries, to host the Games, that already have a decent infrastructure in place.
Those of you with a mathematical bent, may wonder why a stadium with a capacity of 75000 is only going to accommodate 8000 for a test run.
The answer lies in the simple fact that out of the 75000 seats, only 8000 have been installed. That leaves 67000 to be installed by the start of the Olympic Games, in a little over 60 days time.
That means that a over 1000 seats a day need to be put into position, that should be manageable I think.
To some extent you would have thought that the basic infrastructure, such as the seating, would have been in place by now; given the fact that Greece has spent lavishly on this project. However, it seems that the more "sexy parts" of the construction have been diverting peoples' energies.
I understand that the spending, and lavish constructions, planned for the Olympics 2004 have not met with the approval of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC President, Jacques Rogge, has suggested that Greece has misdirected its efforts; and spent far too much on the forthcoming Olympic Games.
It is reported that he and the IOC had only ever wanted simple structures, that would be easy to put into place; and not cost the earth. Instead Greece went "hell for leather" and came up with a plethora of lavish designs and concepts, amongst others, the "whale's rib cage" roof for the Olympic Stadium. This retails at a very "reasonable" 190M Euros.
I think that in future the IOC will pick countries, to host the Games, that already have a decent infrastructure in place.
Wednesday, June 09, 2004
The Great Wall Illuminated by The Olympic Flame
The Olympic flame has arrived in Beijing, the host of the 2008 Olympic Games.
The flame was brought to the Great Wall of China, one of the great construction achievements of mankind.
The torch was carried along a section of the wall by a group of Chinese athletes yesterday. There was a reasonable turnout of spectators, estimated to be around 2000 people.
The official relay with the Olympic torch will begin today, and kick off in Tiananemn Square. It will finish its Chinese journey in the Summer Palace.
Meanwhile in Greece, P. Fasoulas (former President of the Greek Olympic Winners Association) has called those who doubt that the Olympic games will be ready on schedule "moaning Minnies".
In a press conference held yesterday, he expressed the opinion that it was impertinent to suggest that nothing was ready.
No worries then!
The flame was brought to the Great Wall of China, one of the great construction achievements of mankind.
The torch was carried along a section of the wall by a group of Chinese athletes yesterday. There was a reasonable turnout of spectators, estimated to be around 2000 people.
The official relay with the Olympic torch will begin today, and kick off in Tiananemn Square. It will finish its Chinese journey in the Summer Palace.
Meanwhile in Greece, P. Fasoulas (former President of the Greek Olympic Winners Association) has called those who doubt that the Olympic games will be ready on schedule "moaning Minnies".
In a press conference held yesterday, he expressed the opinion that it was impertinent to suggest that nothing was ready.
No worries then!
Tuesday, June 08, 2004
The Secret Opening Ceremony
The day of the Olympic Games opening ceremony, on the 13th of August, draws near.
The exact nature of the ceremony is, to ensure maximum effect, being kept secret. However, it would not take too much brain "muscle" to speculate that it will involve Greek heritage (history, culture art etc) and their gift to the world of the Games.
I think it fair to expect a significant number of references to Greek mythology, I wonder if they will mention Glaux?, and a very large number of people wearing ancient Greek costumes.
It is reported that there will be 8000 volunteers involved in the actual ceremonies, and another 2000 support staff.
Rather mysteriously, a large hole has been dug in the Olympic stadium. It is rumoured to be for some form of water spectacular. Maybe a large amount of water is a good idea, in case of a fire, as it seems that the Olympic cauldron may be suspended over the stadium.
The music for the ceremonies is also being kept a secret. However, I have seen rumours that George Michael may have been commissioned to write something; he has come a long way since working as a waiter in a Greek restaurant in London, all those years ago.
The exact nature of the ceremony is, to ensure maximum effect, being kept secret. However, it would not take too much brain "muscle" to speculate that it will involve Greek heritage (history, culture art etc) and their gift to the world of the Games.
I think it fair to expect a significant number of references to Greek mythology, I wonder if they will mention Glaux?, and a very large number of people wearing ancient Greek costumes.
It is reported that there will be 8000 volunteers involved in the actual ceremonies, and another 2000 support staff.
Rather mysteriously, a large hole has been dug in the Olympic stadium. It is rumoured to be for some form of water spectacular. Maybe a large amount of water is a good idea, in case of a fire, as it seems that the Olympic cauldron may be suspended over the stadium.
The music for the ceremonies is also being kept a secret. However, I have seen rumours that George Michael may have been commissioned to write something; he has come a long way since working as a waiter in a Greek restaurant in London, all those years ago.
Monday, June 07, 2004
It's an Ill Wind
It seems as though Athens has been waiting a few centuries, or so, for the Olympic Games to return.
That at least is the impression one gains from the massive building site that has consumed the ancient city of Athens.
The massive construction and restoration effort is entirely due to the forthcoming Olympics. It seems that without these, the city's infrastructure and monuments would have been left very much alone.
Not all are happy with the makeover, archaeological purists are aghast at the attempts to renovate ancient monuments such as the Parthenon.
Aside from the ancient, there is also the modern such as; 15000 new taxis, buses that use natural gas, a new underground system, a tram link and a spanking new suspension bridge between Rio and Antirio.
The IOC is 100% confident that everything will be ready on time.
The question is, are these modern wonders as durable as their ancient forebears; will they still be around in the centuries to come?
That at least is the impression one gains from the massive building site that has consumed the ancient city of Athens.
The massive construction and restoration effort is entirely due to the forthcoming Olympics. It seems that without these, the city's infrastructure and monuments would have been left very much alone.
Not all are happy with the makeover, archaeological purists are aghast at the attempts to renovate ancient monuments such as the Parthenon.
Aside from the ancient, there is also the modern such as; 15000 new taxis, buses that use natural gas, a new underground system, a tram link and a spanking new suspension bridge between Rio and Antirio.
The IOC is 100% confident that everything will be ready on time.
The question is, are these modern wonders as durable as their ancient forebears; will they still be around in the centuries to come?
Sunday, June 06, 2004
The Games of Smiles
The clock is ticking, there is now a little over two months left until the start of the Olympic Games on the 13th of August.
Bearing this in mind, the Greek hosts are testing the facilities.
A basketball game will be played today in the new sports complex, which is built on the site of the former Athens airport.
Next week swimming and track cycling will be performed at the Athens Olympic Sports Complex; track and field events will be held in the Olympic Stadium, which is still classified as "work in progress".
It is reported that the President of Athens 2004, Gianna Angeloulos, has put pressure on the Greek Prime Minister to "pull his finger out"; in respect of hurrying things along.
Gianna Angeloulos is quoted as saying: "These Games must be the Games of smiles and not the Games of misery. Whatever outstanding issues there are, they must be solved."
Well said!
Bearing this in mind, the Greek hosts are testing the facilities.
A basketball game will be played today in the new sports complex, which is built on the site of the former Athens airport.
Next week swimming and track cycling will be performed at the Athens Olympic Sports Complex; track and field events will be held in the Olympic Stadium, which is still classified as "work in progress".
It is reported that the President of Athens 2004, Gianna Angeloulos, has put pressure on the Greek Prime Minister to "pull his finger out"; in respect of hurrying things along.
Gianna Angeloulos is quoted as saying: "These Games must be the Games of smiles and not the Games of misery. Whatever outstanding issues there are, they must be solved."
Well said!
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