Last night's opening ceremony, for the Olympics 2004, thankfully went without a hitch or unpleasant incident.
The story of Greece, both historical and mythological, was re-enacted in tableau form; against the backdrop of the Olympic stadium, which had been flooded with water.
My compliments to the organisers.
One interesting point, which I have only just come across, is that the torch ceremony of lighting the Olympic cauldron is not an ancient ritual stemming from the original Olympic Games.
It seems that the ancient Greeks opened their games by heralds, not fire. This ritual was in fact created by Hitler, during the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Even the Rings, much beloved symbol of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), aren't what they seem to be.
They were designed in 1913 by Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the IOC, for the 1916 Olympics. These Games were not held, as the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria started World War I.
The resurrection of the Rings fell to Leni Riefenstahl, Hitler's official film maker. In order to give some "historical backdrop" for her film "Olympia, which chronicled the 1936 Olympic Games, Riefenstahl had the Rings carved into a stone altar in the Greek city of Delphi. This was meant to give some backing to Hitler's crackpot theories about Aryan links to the gods etc.
So much for ancient symbolism!
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Friday, August 13, 2004
All The Presidents' Men
The great and the good are arriving in Athens, in readiness for tonight's opening ceremony.
Tony Blair, the British Prime Minister arrived yesterday. The Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, arrived this morning.
President Bush senior "pitched his tent" on Thursday, in the yacht Dumara; which is owned by Spyros Latsis, a Greek financier.
Other leaders coming along include; French President Jacques Chirac, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Silvio Berlusconi of Italy.
There will be a reception today, hosted by Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the various heads of state.
Tony Blair, the British Prime Minister arrived yesterday. The Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, arrived this morning.
President Bush senior "pitched his tent" on Thursday, in the yacht Dumara; which is owned by Spyros Latsis, a Greek financier.
Other leaders coming along include; French President Jacques Chirac, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Silvio Berlusconi of Italy.
There will be a reception today, hosted by Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the various heads of state.
Upping The Ante
With only a few hours left until the beginning of the Olympics, it is reported that the USA is sending more security personnel than athletes to the Games.
Approximately 600 security personnel will be on site, exceeding the 528 US competitors.
In addition, there are 400 special forces on standby in Europe, together with air marshalls on flights between Athens and the US.
Approximately 600 security personnel will be on site, exceeding the 528 US competitors.
In addition, there are 400 special forces on standby in Europe, together with air marshalls on flights between Athens and the US.
Thursday, August 12, 2004
It'll Be Alright on The Night, or Will It?
Oh dear, little more than 24 hours to go until the start of the Olympics, and there has been a bit of glitch with the Greek TV coverage.
It seems that Greek state, TV ET1, screwed up a transmission covering one of the opening Olympic events last night. The result being that John Kalimeris, a senior executive, had to bite the bullet and resign.
In what should have been a simple "bread and butter" task oftransmitting a football match between South Korea and Greece, ET1 managed to severely annoy their viewers; by transmitting sound only during the first half, and picture only during the second half.
As the hackneyed saying goes, "It's a game of two halves".
Unfortunately, in a decision that doesn't seem to have any intellectual, commercial or technical logic whatsoever; ET1, the smallest and least capable of the Greek TV companies, has been given sole transmission rights for the Games.
The reason for the "glitch" is unclear; some blame the holiday season.
How very comforting!
It seems that gremlins were not just at work in the TV studio, but also on the net.
It is reported that ADSL stopped working for over 30 minutes in most parts of Athens, and South Greece yesterday. That is before the 11000 media posse, from around the world, attempt to send their reports and thoughts down the wires.
Rumours and speculation abound as to the likelihood of the mobile phone system collapsing as well. I understand that the percentage of dropped calls has been steadily on the increase.
It would be a sad irony for the Greek authorities, that the Games go off without a hitch; but, that owing to transmission failures and the like, the rest of the world would not know about it.
It seems that Greek state, TV ET1, screwed up a transmission covering one of the opening Olympic events last night. The result being that John Kalimeris, a senior executive, had to bite the bullet and resign.
In what should have been a simple "bread and butter" task oftransmitting a football match between South Korea and Greece, ET1 managed to severely annoy their viewers; by transmitting sound only during the first half, and picture only during the second half.
As the hackneyed saying goes, "It's a game of two halves".
Unfortunately, in a decision that doesn't seem to have any intellectual, commercial or technical logic whatsoever; ET1, the smallest and least capable of the Greek TV companies, has been given sole transmission rights for the Games.
The reason for the "glitch" is unclear; some blame the holiday season.
How very comforting!
It seems that gremlins were not just at work in the TV studio, but also on the net.
It is reported that ADSL stopped working for over 30 minutes in most parts of Athens, and South Greece yesterday. That is before the 11000 media posse, from around the world, attempt to send their reports and thoughts down the wires.
Rumours and speculation abound as to the likelihood of the mobile phone system collapsing as well. I understand that the percentage of dropped calls has been steadily on the increase.
It would be a sad irony for the Greek authorities, that the Games go off without a hitch; but, that owing to transmission failures and the like, the rest of the world would not know about it.
Sneak Preview
Those of you who cannot wait for tomorrow's 3 hour opening ceremony for the Olympics, can catch the dress rehearsal today.
Details of the opening ceremony were meant to be secret. However, a small scale rehearsal was held last Sunday; and inevitably there was a leak.
I understand that the theme of the ceremony will be related to ancient Greece, its mythology and sights.
Over 8000 people will be involved in the opening ceremony, which will be watched by a worldwide audience estimated to be around 4.5BN people.
Reports indicate that the Olympic stadium will be flooded with water, whilst a giant fireball is sent skimming across the surface. Given Athens's propensity for water shortages during the summer months, it is not quite clear where this water will come from.
I wonder if this is entirely wise?
It is also reported that owing to a shortage of concrete, during the construction of the stadium, the proportion of sand to concrete had to be increased. Such a mixture, if exposed to water, becomes highly unstable and prone to collapse.
Anyhoo, once the fireball splashes down, a child will cross the lake in a boat to the sound of 400 drums. A centaur will then throw a javelin into the water, and an ancient Greek figure will rise from the depths.
Rather idiosyncratically, after this, a pregnant woman will step into the water against a backdrop projection of DNA.
If anyone can explain what this all means, please feel free to enlighten us via the comment section.
Details of the opening ceremony were meant to be secret. However, a small scale rehearsal was held last Sunday; and inevitably there was a leak.
I understand that the theme of the ceremony will be related to ancient Greece, its mythology and sights.
Over 8000 people will be involved in the opening ceremony, which will be watched by a worldwide audience estimated to be around 4.5BN people.
Reports indicate that the Olympic stadium will be flooded with water, whilst a giant fireball is sent skimming across the surface. Given Athens's propensity for water shortages during the summer months, it is not quite clear where this water will come from.
I wonder if this is entirely wise?
It is also reported that owing to a shortage of concrete, during the construction of the stadium, the proportion of sand to concrete had to be increased. Such a mixture, if exposed to water, becomes highly unstable and prone to collapse.
Anyhoo, once the fireball splashes down, a child will cross the lake in a boat to the sound of 400 drums. A centaur will then throw a javelin into the water, and an ancient Greek figure will rise from the depths.
Rather idiosyncratically, after this, a pregnant woman will step into the water against a backdrop projection of DNA.
If anyone can explain what this all means, please feel free to enlighten us via the comment section.
Royalty Arrives
The Queen Mary 2, the world's largest cruise ship, arrived in Athens yesterday; ready to accommodate the dignitaries who will be attending the forthcoming Olympic Games.
The dock in which she is berthed, six miles away from central Athens, is protected by a special security shield including; commandos, soldiers and surveillance equipment.
The rest of the floating flotilla of Royalty of the seas, which will berth alongside her, includes; the liners Ocean Countess, World Renaissance and Silver Whisper plus four others.
Among the dignitaries who will be staying on the Queen Mary 2 will be President Bush senior, and "W's" children Barbara and Jenna.
The dock in which she is berthed, six miles away from central Athens, is protected by a special security shield including; commandos, soldiers and surveillance equipment.
The rest of the floating flotilla of Royalty of the seas, which will berth alongside her, includes; the liners Ocean Countess, World Renaissance and Silver Whisper plus four others.
Among the dignitaries who will be staying on the Queen Mary 2 will be President Bush senior, and "W's" children Barbara and Jenna.
Gut Busting
Those of you worried about your fat intake should breath easy; the fat consumption of the participants and guests at the Athens Olympics is going to be staggering.
3000 gallons of olive oil, and 24000kg of cheese will be consumed during the 3 week sporting festival.
However, that is nothing compared with the diet of the ancient Olympics. It seems that a certain Milon of Croton (a well known wrestler in his day) ate 9kg of meat per day; washed down with 3 jugs of wine during the ancient Games.
Milon, outdid himself one day, after winning a weightlifting contest where he carried a bull on his shoulders; killed the aforementioned beast, and spent the rest of the day eating it.
I wonder if they suffered from indigestion?
3000 gallons of olive oil, and 24000kg of cheese will be consumed during the 3 week sporting festival.
However, that is nothing compared with the diet of the ancient Olympics. It seems that a certain Milon of Croton (a well known wrestler in his day) ate 9kg of meat per day; washed down with 3 jugs of wine during the ancient Games.
Milon, outdid himself one day, after winning a weightlifting contest where he carried a bull on his shoulders; killed the aforementioned beast, and spent the rest of the day eating it.
I wonder if they suffered from indigestion?
Looking For Dirt
It is reported that the USA delivered $26M worth of radiation detection equipment, on Wednesday, to the Greek authorities. The equipment will be used to detect "fall out" from a dirty nuclear device.
The equipment will be positioned at all airports and seaports, as well as the Olympic venues in Athens.
It is a sad indictment of the world that we live in today, that such measures have to be taken at what is meant to be a sporting event open to the entire world.
In other security measures, the Greek security forces have been told not to wave at people during the Games.
No, don't ask, I have no idea why.
The equipment will be positioned at all airports and seaports, as well as the Olympic venues in Athens.
It is a sad indictment of the world that we live in today, that such measures have to be taken at what is meant to be a sporting event open to the entire world.
In other security measures, the Greek security forces have been told not to wave at people during the Games.
No, don't ask, I have no idea why.
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
It's The Money Stupid!
It seems that some of the athletes competing in the forthcoming Olympics, being held in Athens, will be aiming for more than just the fame and a gold medal.
There are lucrative "lifestyle" awards to be won by the top athletes.
It is reported that even smaller countries, such as Lithuania, will be paying their winners a decent "bung". Each Lithuanian gold medal will earn the winner $125K from the Lithuanian government, and a BMW from the Lithuanian Olympic Committee
Can't be bad!
I thought that the Olympics ideal was a competition between amateurs for nothing more than the glory. Needless to say that ideal collapsed in the 1980's, as people openly admitted to what had been known by the rest of us for years; that athletes were receiving large sums of money, "on the sly".
Therefore, instead of regulating and enforcing the rules prohibiting payments, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) abolished the rule that forbade athletes to receive money.
If only other problems in life were so simply dispensed with!
Needless to say, when there are large sums of money "sloshing about", everyone wants "a piece of the action". Trainers, lackeys, assorted hangers on and the Mafia all expect to receive a cut of the athletes money.
Heaven help the poor athlete who doesn't "divi up". The Kazakh Olympic boxing champion Bekzat Sattarkhanov died in a mysterious car accident on New Year's Eve 2000, after winning gold the Sydney Games. It is speculated that he didn't want to share his prize.
The perversity of the award system is that the small, and poor, countries tend to pay their athletes more than the larger wealthier countries.
The poor old USA athletes have to contend with a meagre $25K if they win gold, and Russian athletes $50K.
Paah! I wouldn't get out of bed for that!
That being said, I have a reasonable suspicion that US and Russian winners will find themselves some very reasonable advertising and sponsorship contracts afterwards.
So let us not shed too many tears for them.
There are lucrative "lifestyle" awards to be won by the top athletes.
It is reported that even smaller countries, such as Lithuania, will be paying their winners a decent "bung". Each Lithuanian gold medal will earn the winner $125K from the Lithuanian government, and a BMW from the Lithuanian Olympic Committee
Can't be bad!
I thought that the Olympics ideal was a competition between amateurs for nothing more than the glory. Needless to say that ideal collapsed in the 1980's, as people openly admitted to what had been known by the rest of us for years; that athletes were receiving large sums of money, "on the sly".
Therefore, instead of regulating and enforcing the rules prohibiting payments, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) abolished the rule that forbade athletes to receive money.
If only other problems in life were so simply dispensed with!
Needless to say, when there are large sums of money "sloshing about", everyone wants "a piece of the action". Trainers, lackeys, assorted hangers on and the Mafia all expect to receive a cut of the athletes money.
Heaven help the poor athlete who doesn't "divi up". The Kazakh Olympic boxing champion Bekzat Sattarkhanov died in a mysterious car accident on New Year's Eve 2000, after winning gold the Sydney Games. It is speculated that he didn't want to share his prize.
The perversity of the award system is that the small, and poor, countries tend to pay their athletes more than the larger wealthier countries.
The poor old USA athletes have to contend with a meagre $25K if they win gold, and Russian athletes $50K.
Paah! I wouldn't get out of bed for that!
That being said, I have a reasonable suspicion that US and Russian winners will find themselves some very reasonable advertising and sponsorship contracts afterwards.
So let us not shed too many tears for them.
The Olympics 2004 Featured on Feedster
Just a brief post to say that this site is now a featured blog on sports.feedster.com.
My thanks to the team at Feedster for featuring me.
My thanks to the team at Feedster for featuring me.
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
The Olympics - The Movie
This is an ablsolute hoot; it takes a few minutes to download, but it's worth the wait.
Enjoy! The Olympics - The Movie
Enjoy! The Olympics - The Movie
It's In The Bag
It seems that the strict rules, concerning foreigners bearing arms in Greece, have been circumvented by a diplomatic sleight of hand.
It is reported that the Greek authorities have allowed US, Israeli and UK security services to arm their personnel during the Olympics in Athens. This breach of the Greek constitution, which forbids foreigners to bear arms in Greece, has been achieved by allowing the arms to be brought in via diplomatic bags; which of course cannot be opened.
The UK has a special armed squad of 130 people, it is not clear how many armed US and Israeli personnel will be in Athens.
Those of you who may be confused as to how the Greek authorities believe that the use of the diplomatic bag negates their constitution, may care to address their queries to Fanny Palli-Petralia (the Culture Minister), who has insisted that none of the nations participating in the Olympic Games would bring armed personnel into Greece.
It is reported that the Greek authorities have allowed US, Israeli and UK security services to arm their personnel during the Olympics in Athens. This breach of the Greek constitution, which forbids foreigners to bear arms in Greece, has been achieved by allowing the arms to be brought in via diplomatic bags; which of course cannot be opened.
The UK has a special armed squad of 130 people, it is not clear how many armed US and Israeli personnel will be in Athens.
Those of you who may be confused as to how the Greek authorities believe that the use of the diplomatic bag negates their constitution, may care to address their queries to Fanny Palli-Petralia (the Culture Minister), who has insisted that none of the nations participating in the Olympic Games would bring armed personnel into Greece.
L'Addition Monsieur
Once the Olympics, which open this Friday in Athens, are over; the Greek government, and Greek citizens, will face the prospect of settling a very large bill which will damage Greece's credit rating.
It is reported that Standard and Poor have published a report today, which gives warning of future problems for the Greek economy.
They note that the Olympics have given Greece an opportunity to shrug off its agrarian economy. However, if Greece wishes to maintain its current credit rating, it will need to increase taxes and cut public expenditure.
They note that the Olympics has improved the mobility of the Greek labour force, and improved the infrastructure.
However, the current cost estimates for the Games stand at $8BN (with some predicting $12BN) on top of a debt burden that has risen from $32BN to $49BN.
The Greek government faces a challenge of Olympic proportions.
Other News
It seems that there is a story going around that athletes and others, who are particpating in the Games, will not be allowed to blog about it.
Wonder why?
It is reported that Standard and Poor have published a report today, which gives warning of future problems for the Greek economy.
They note that the Olympics have given Greece an opportunity to shrug off its agrarian economy. However, if Greece wishes to maintain its current credit rating, it will need to increase taxes and cut public expenditure.
They note that the Olympics has improved the mobility of the Greek labour force, and improved the infrastructure.
However, the current cost estimates for the Games stand at $8BN (with some predicting $12BN) on top of a debt burden that has risen from $32BN to $49BN.
The Greek government faces a challenge of Olympic proportions.
Other News
It seems that there is a story going around that athletes and others, who are particpating in the Games, will not be allowed to blog about it.
Wonder why?
Monday, August 09, 2004
Zeppelin Raid
It seems that the use of the Zeppelin to patrol the skies of Athens, during the forthcoming Olympic Games, has not met with everyone's' approval.
A Greek civil rights group has petitioned the local courts, in respect of the Zeppelin. They believe that it is a violation of people's privacy, and have asked the courts to bring the Zeppelin back to earth.
The court will rule later this week as to whether the Zeppelin, which is equipped with sensors, chemical "sniffers" and ultra-high resolution cameras, will be grounded or not.
The Greek government denies that the Zeppelin violates people's privacy, and state that there is no violation of the Greek constitution.
Other News
500 Thai workers are holding their own alternative Olympic Games in Bangkok; in order to highlight the sweatshop working conditions, and low rates of pay, of the people who produce clothing and other related products for the forthcoming Olympic Games.
The average garment worker may labour for 14 hours a day, and earn 7 cents for every dozen shirts worked on.
A Greek civil rights group has petitioned the local courts, in respect of the Zeppelin. They believe that it is a violation of people's privacy, and have asked the courts to bring the Zeppelin back to earth.
The court will rule later this week as to whether the Zeppelin, which is equipped with sensors, chemical "sniffers" and ultra-high resolution cameras, will be grounded or not.
The Greek government denies that the Zeppelin violates people's privacy, and state that there is no violation of the Greek constitution.
Other News
500 Thai workers are holding their own alternative Olympic Games in Bangkok; in order to highlight the sweatshop working conditions, and low rates of pay, of the people who produce clothing and other related products for the forthcoming Olympic Games.
The average garment worker may labour for 14 hours a day, and earn 7 cents for every dozen shirts worked on.
Sunday, August 08, 2004
Banquo's Ghost
Here is an extract from the website of the Greek embassy in Washington USA. This was posted on the 21st of July 1997:
"...The president of the Athens 2004 Olympic candidacy committee, Gianna Angelopoulou-Daskalaki, told CNN on Friday that the Greek capital holds the prospect of a "virtually new city" as regards public transport, telecommunications, the environment, accommodations and sports installations.
"Most sports installations are already in place, and we have the financial guarantees for completing all additional necessary projects well before 2004," she added.
Replying to a remark that Athens faces difficult traffic problems, Ms Angelopoulou-Daskalaki said that any existing difficulties will be effectively met with large projects already underway, such as the underground metro, which she claimed will be ready in 1999, the city's new airport at Spata (scheduled for completion by 2000) and a number of circular roads. These projects, she said, will drastically change the situation regarding public transport in Athens.
Turning to the economic impact of the Olympics, she said: "we expect 130,000 new jobs to be created. The overall benefit will be huge..."
Regarding security, she said, "Greece is a safe country, as INTERPOL and other independent analyses show. We have one of the lowest crime rates in Europe, and moreover, what is very important is that no incident has taken place during any sports, political, or other event that Greece has organized"......"
I have come across an archived version of the Athens Games website from 1997. This contains details of their bid, and promises made regarding infrastructure etc, for the Games. You can visit it here Athens archive.
I am also trying to track down a copy of the Athens Bid Book, which is in excess of 600 pages, and details every promise made by the Greek bid committee in respect of their bid to host the Games in 2004. If anyone knows where I can lay my hands on a copy I would be very grateful.
There are copies held by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Switzerland, unfortunately they are under embargo; and cannot be viewed by the public for another 30 years.
I wonder why?
"...The president of the Athens 2004 Olympic candidacy committee, Gianna Angelopoulou-Daskalaki, told CNN on Friday that the Greek capital holds the prospect of a "virtually new city" as regards public transport, telecommunications, the environment, accommodations and sports installations.
"Most sports installations are already in place, and we have the financial guarantees for completing all additional necessary projects well before 2004," she added.
Replying to a remark that Athens faces difficult traffic problems, Ms Angelopoulou-Daskalaki said that any existing difficulties will be effectively met with large projects already underway, such as the underground metro, which she claimed will be ready in 1999, the city's new airport at Spata (scheduled for completion by 2000) and a number of circular roads. These projects, she said, will drastically change the situation regarding public transport in Athens.
Turning to the economic impact of the Olympics, she said: "we expect 130,000 new jobs to be created. The overall benefit will be huge..."
Regarding security, she said, "Greece is a safe country, as INTERPOL and other independent analyses show. We have one of the lowest crime rates in Europe, and moreover, what is very important is that no incident has taken place during any sports, political, or other event that Greece has organized"......"
I have come across an archived version of the Athens Games website from 1997. This contains details of their bid, and promises made regarding infrastructure etc, for the Games. You can visit it here Athens archive.
I am also trying to track down a copy of the Athens Bid Book, which is in excess of 600 pages, and details every promise made by the Greek bid committee in respect of their bid to host the Games in 2004. If anyone knows where I can lay my hands on a copy I would be very grateful.
There are copies held by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Switzerland, unfortunately they are under embargo; and cannot be viewed by the public for another 30 years.
I wonder why?
Greece Safest Nation On Earth
Greece, in the shape of Ioannis Lampropoulos the deputy defence minister, has declared itself to be the safest nation on earth yesterday; less than a week before the start of the Olympic Games 2004, which are being held in Athens.
NATO patrols the coast, a Zeppelin patrols the skies, Patriot defence systems are on alert along with the Greek airforce and 70000 troops patrol the streets; in an unprecedented security operation.
The security blanket, which costs in excess of $1.5BN, has been praised by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge. However, he cautioned that there is no such thing as 100% security.
The ambassadors of the member countries of the Arab League paid a visit to the Greek Public Order Minister Voulgarakis during the week; to show their support for the Olympics 2004. They noted that it would be the enemy of Arabs and Greeks who takes action against Greece during the Olympics.
NATO patrols the coast, a Zeppelin patrols the skies, Patriot defence systems are on alert along with the Greek airforce and 70000 troops patrol the streets; in an unprecedented security operation.
The security blanket, which costs in excess of $1.5BN, has been praised by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge. However, he cautioned that there is no such thing as 100% security.
The ambassadors of the member countries of the Arab League paid a visit to the Greek Public Order Minister Voulgarakis during the week; to show their support for the Olympics 2004. They noted that it would be the enemy of Arabs and Greeks who takes action against Greece during the Olympics.
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