The final countdown towards the Olympics 2004, being held in Athens, is underway.
As the final push for the completion of construction commences, reminders of the past are being unearthed on a daily basis.
Athens is an ancient imperial city, and previously undiscovered archaeological treasures are being unearthed by the construction of the new stadiums.
The treasure troves of tombs, pots and "knicknacks" being discovered are being put on display in open air museums. Those finds which cannot be moved to indoor museums are left in situ, and are protected by glass, they can be freely viewed by anyone who is in the vicinity.
I fully endorse this approach. This is a splendid way to improve and enhance the viewing experience for the general public. The more traditional museums of the past have created an atmosphere of lifelessness and stuffiness, that has left most visitors in a state of catatonic boredom.
Saturday, July 10, 2004
Friday, July 09, 2004
The Worst Kept Secret In Olympic History
The secret about what will happen at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games which are being held in Athens has, to put it mildly, leaked almost everywhere.
In case you have not picked it up, the opening ceremony will be water based. The floor of the Olympic stadium will be flooded during the opening ceremony, on the 13th of August.
In addition to the water featrure, the Olympic flame will be suspended in a cauldron above the stadium.
As with the all previous opening ceremonies, this one will be the most expensive ever; note, expensive does not necessarily mean good.
In other news, the Greek President visited the Greek Prime Minister to point out that the Olympics start in a little over a month. No kidding!
Both parties were keen to assure the world that everything is on schedule.
In case you have not picked it up, the opening ceremony will be water based. The floor of the Olympic stadium will be flooded during the opening ceremony, on the 13th of August.
In addition to the water featrure, the Olympic flame will be suspended in a cauldron above the stadium.
As with the all previous opening ceremonies, this one will be the most expensive ever; note, expensive does not necessarily mean good.
In other news, the Greek President visited the Greek Prime Minister to point out that the Olympics start in a little over a month. No kidding!
Both parties were keen to assure the world that everything is on schedule.
Thursday, July 08, 2004
Fawlty Towers
In the true Olympic spirit, the hotel workers of Greece staged a 24 hour strike yesterday.
That should help bookings!
Their grievance is simple, more visitors for the Olympic Games in Athens means more work; therefore they want more money. Admirable logic, unfortunately there are 3 million unsold tickets and hotels are standing empty. Maybe a strike is not the best means of encouraging bookings?
In a splendidly irrelevant gesture, the Union of Greek Archaeologists went on strike as well yesterday. They want money as well from the Olympics.
Today, it is the turn of the bus drivers and other transport workers to try to grab a slice of the pie. There is even a rumour that the air traffic controllers will strike.
It seems that the Olympics this year are being viewed by many as a humungous cash cow. Unfortunately, there is every danger that it may in fact be a still born calf.
That should help bookings!
Their grievance is simple, more visitors for the Olympic Games in Athens means more work; therefore they want more money. Admirable logic, unfortunately there are 3 million unsold tickets and hotels are standing empty. Maybe a strike is not the best means of encouraging bookings?
In a splendidly irrelevant gesture, the Union of Greek Archaeologists went on strike as well yesterday. They want money as well from the Olympics.
Today, it is the turn of the bus drivers and other transport workers to try to grab a slice of the pie. There is even a rumour that the air traffic controllers will strike.
It seems that the Olympics this year are being viewed by many as a humungous cash cow. Unfortunately, there is every danger that it may in fact be a still born calf.
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
Peace and Goodwill? Not If You Live In Cyprus
The Olympic flame, symbol of the Olympic Games, has had to suffer the indignity of being diverted on its route to Athens.
It is reported that the ongoing dispute between the Turks and the Greeks over Cyprus, divided since 1974, has caused this diversion.
The flame was to have passed into both sides of the island. However, the Turkish side seems to have been a "tad" difficult with allowing this to happen. Therefore, to save time and energy in further negotiations, the flame's route has had to be changed.
Nice work guys! How very mature.
It is reported that the ongoing dispute between the Turks and the Greeks over Cyprus, divided since 1974, has caused this diversion.
The flame was to have passed into both sides of the island. However, the Turkish side seems to have been a "tad" difficult with allowing this to happen. Therefore, to save time and energy in further negotiations, the flame's route has had to be changed.
Nice work guys! How very mature.
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
Road Block
It is reported that the Road to Athens, a race to celebrate the forthcoming Olympic games being held in Athens, has been cancelled.
The Road To Athens, which claimed rather pompously to be capable of spreading a universal message of "Peace, Love and Friendship" etc, was to have taken place across 6 countries and over 50 cities.
It would have involved 21 Arab athletes, the symbolism of this event in light of the current world situation is therefore clear.
However, money talks these days; the withdrawal of a key sponsor sunk the race without trace.
The Road To Athens, which claimed rather pompously to be capable of spreading a universal message of "Peace, Love and Friendship" etc, was to have taken place across 6 countries and over 50 cities.
It would have involved 21 Arab athletes, the symbolism of this event in light of the current world situation is therefore clear.
However, money talks these days; the withdrawal of a key sponsor sunk the race without trace.
Monday, July 05, 2004
A Pyrrhic Victory
Well done to Greece on winning Euro 2004 yesterday.
There were parties in the streets in Greece and London last night, as Greek fans rightly celebrated a surprise victory for the underdog.
However, once the hangovers have subsided minds may need to be concentrated on the Olympics 2004 which are being held in Athens this August.
It seems that ticket sales are not going that well, with some 3 million tickets out of 5 million yet to be sold.
Although half of the deluxe hotels have been reserved for the "usual suspects" (ie those dignitaries and their entourage who always go to Olympic "shindigs"), it is reported that other hotels are not filling up as hoped for.
Private home owners, who signed up to rent their homes out during the Olympic Games, are also reported to be having trouble finding customers. It seems that out of 20000 homes available for rent, only 900 have been booked.
I have said it before, and will say it again, when something doesn't sell cut the selling price.
There were parties in the streets in Greece and London last night, as Greek fans rightly celebrated a surprise victory for the underdog.
However, once the hangovers have subsided minds may need to be concentrated on the Olympics 2004 which are being held in Athens this August.
It seems that ticket sales are not going that well, with some 3 million tickets out of 5 million yet to be sold.
Although half of the deluxe hotels have been reserved for the "usual suspects" (ie those dignitaries and their entourage who always go to Olympic "shindigs"), it is reported that other hotels are not filling up as hoped for.
Private home owners, who signed up to rent their homes out during the Olympic Games, are also reported to be having trouble finding customers. It seems that out of 20000 homes available for rent, only 900 have been booked.
I have said it before, and will say it again, when something doesn't sell cut the selling price.
Sunday, July 04, 2004
Too Little, Too Late
It seems that the delays in the construction of the venues for the Olympics 2004, which are being held in Athens, are causing concern in the security community.
With construction still not completed, there has not been a chance to test security systems and back up plans; which are meant to deter, and contain, any possible terrorist attack.
The command centre, which co-ordinates information flow from the surveillance cameras dotted around Athens, will not be up and running until the middle of July. Hence, those operating it will not have had a decent period to train in using it.
Other sites have yet to have surveillance cameras installed, and have not been tested to see how they would handle events (both expected and unexpected).
To put this into context, although the cost of the security is $1.2BN (far higher than any Olympic Games held before) security systems in previous Olympics were up and running one year beforehand.
The phrase "accident waiting to happen" springs to mind.
With construction still not completed, there has not been a chance to test security systems and back up plans; which are meant to deter, and contain, any possible terrorist attack.
The command centre, which co-ordinates information flow from the surveillance cameras dotted around Athens, will not be up and running until the middle of July. Hence, those operating it will not have had a decent period to train in using it.
Other sites have yet to have surveillance cameras installed, and have not been tested to see how they would handle events (both expected and unexpected).
To put this into context, although the cost of the security is $1.2BN (far higher than any Olympic Games held before) security systems in previous Olympics were up and running one year beforehand.
The phrase "accident waiting to happen" springs to mind.
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