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.
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
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.
Saturday, July 03, 2004
Utter Filth
Oops, it seems that Athens was not the first choice of everyone for hosting the Olympics 2004.
It is reported that Dick Pound, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), voted to award the 2004 Olympics to Rome. It seems that he felt that the level of pollution in Athens would harm the health of the competitors.
By all accounts hundreds of people die in Athens each summer, from the pollution.
The IOC are reported to be relying on good winds this summer, to blow the pollution out to sea.
Sounds like a plan to me!
It is reported that Dick Pound, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), voted to award the 2004 Olympics to Rome. It seems that he felt that the level of pollution in Athens would harm the health of the competitors.
By all accounts hundreds of people die in Athens each summer, from the pollution.
The IOC are reported to be relying on good winds this summer, to blow the pollution out to sea.
Sounds like a plan to me!
Friday, July 02, 2004
Protect and Survive
The security clampdown in Athens, in preparation for the Olympics 2004, has begun.
Troops and police are now reported to be being deployed around Athens. The Minister of Public Order, George Voulgarakis, is reported to have said that the initial deployment will consist of around 11000 troops and police.
The opening deployment will protect transport links and hubs. I understand that, owing to the fact that construction work is behind schedule, the Olympic venues themselves will not be sealed until August.
Doesn't that rather negate the effectiveness of the security?
The full security deployment is estimated to be around 70000 troops, police and coast guards.
To view a slide show of the security preparations please visit the Security Slide Show.
Please note this, together with other photos and resources, can also be accessed via the menu to the right.
Troops and police are now reported to be being deployed around Athens. The Minister of Public Order, George Voulgarakis, is reported to have said that the initial deployment will consist of around 11000 troops and police.
The opening deployment will protect transport links and hubs. I understand that, owing to the fact that construction work is behind schedule, the Olympic venues themselves will not be sealed until August.
Doesn't that rather negate the effectiveness of the security?
The full security deployment is estimated to be around 70000 troops, police and coast guards.
To view a slide show of the security preparations please visit the Security Slide Show.
Please note this, together with other photos and resources, can also be accessed via the menu to the right.
Thursday, July 01, 2004
The Turtle and The Hare
It seems that the Olympics 2004, which are being held in Athens this August, have caused problems for one of the earth's less annoying creatures; the humble turtle.
The humungous costs of the Olympics have caused the Greek authorities to cut back on other, "non essential work". One victim of the cutbacks has been the turtle nesting beaches.
It is reported that the staff at the National Marine Park, on the island of Zakynthos, fed up with not being paid for 9 months stopped work in May.
In addition to hosting the Olympics, Greece's other claim to fame is the fact that it also hosts the largest nesting population of Mediterranean loggerhead turtles. However, the poor creature is somewhat less speedy and sexy than those competing at the Olympics; hence the Greek authorities assumed that people would not care about the cuts.
Unfortunately for the turtle, its hatching cycle coincides with the tourist season and this year's Olympic Games.
Needless to say, once the Greek government indicated that it couldn't "give a toss" about the turtle; the local population started ensuring that they could make as much money as possible from the tourist. They have, for example, erecting unauthorised buildings and are holding speed boat races; not very nice for the poor old turtle!
In my view the Olympics are only around for a few weeks for people to "enjoy", the turtles should be (if the Greek government did it's job) around for ever for people to enjoy.
Get your priorities right!
The humungous costs of the Olympics have caused the Greek authorities to cut back on other, "non essential work". One victim of the cutbacks has been the turtle nesting beaches.
It is reported that the staff at the National Marine Park, on the island of Zakynthos, fed up with not being paid for 9 months stopped work in May.
In addition to hosting the Olympics, Greece's other claim to fame is the fact that it also hosts the largest nesting population of Mediterranean loggerhead turtles. However, the poor creature is somewhat less speedy and sexy than those competing at the Olympics; hence the Greek authorities assumed that people would not care about the cuts.
Unfortunately for the turtle, its hatching cycle coincides with the tourist season and this year's Olympic Games.
Needless to say, once the Greek government indicated that it couldn't "give a toss" about the turtle; the local population started ensuring that they could make as much money as possible from the tourist. They have, for example, erecting unauthorised buildings and are holding speed boat races; not very nice for the poor old turtle!
In my view the Olympics are only around for a few weeks for people to "enjoy", the turtles should be (if the Greek government did it's job) around for ever for people to enjoy.
Get your priorities right!
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
Shades of Big Brother
It seems that there are concerns in Athens that the elaborate security precautions, being taken by the authorities for the hosting of the Olympics 2004, may still be there long after the last gold medal has been awarded and the Olympic flame extinguished.
The forthcoming Games have given the Greek authorities an excuse to do what very government in the world wants to do, namely to spy on its citizens. The Greek government passed an anti terrorist bill; and as a result of that, the streets of Athens are literally festooned with cameras and surveillance/listening devices.
There is, I suspect, the lingering doubt in the minds of the citizens of Athens that these "security measures" may well be left "in situ" when the Games are over at the end of August.
It seems that, if reports are to be believed, certain high ranking officials in the Greek authorities have already floated the idea that "it would be a shame to waste the hard work, and money expended in making Athens a national security capital".
Oh dear, monitoring people for their own protection does seem to have an uncomfortable Orwellian echo.
The forthcoming Games have given the Greek authorities an excuse to do what very government in the world wants to do, namely to spy on its citizens. The Greek government passed an anti terrorist bill; and as a result of that, the streets of Athens are literally festooned with cameras and surveillance/listening devices.
There is, I suspect, the lingering doubt in the minds of the citizens of Athens that these "security measures" may well be left "in situ" when the Games are over at the end of August.
It seems that, if reports are to be believed, certain high ranking officials in the Greek authorities have already floated the idea that "it would be a shame to waste the hard work, and money expended in making Athens a national security capital".
Oh dear, monitoring people for their own protection does seem to have an uncomfortable Orwellian echo.
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Cars Come First
In a far cry from the simpler times of the first Olympics held in Athens, the Olympics 2004 need to take into account the needs of the automobile.
To this end, over 56000 parking and access control permits have been handed out to the various municipalities in the Athens area. During the period from the 2nd of August to the 31st of August special parking and access restrictions will be in place; in order to ensure that Athens, noted for its free flowing easy to navigate streets and highways, remains free of congestion.
The allocation of these valuable documents, doubtless there will be a black market in them, has been based on on the number of applications filled in at the Municipalities.
From a cursory glance at the different codings on the permits, and the restrictions applicable to each type of permit, it seems that the citizens of Athens will need to apply some considerable intellectual effort if they wish to understand the rules and regulations.
I cite this, as a random example, of the rules from the official press release:
"All vehicles may enter the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ), but only those with a Venue Access and Parking Permit for the specific CPZ may park and, of course, those with Permit for the respective CACZ. A CPZ permit holder is not permitted to park within the CACZ...."
To add to the confusion, that this system will doubtless cause, the access and parking permits will have 3 variables:
1 Colour
2 Venue
3 Vehicle number
Got that?
My advice to the good citizens of Athens is simple, whilst the Games are on, go away on holiday to another city or country.
To this end, over 56000 parking and access control permits have been handed out to the various municipalities in the Athens area. During the period from the 2nd of August to the 31st of August special parking and access restrictions will be in place; in order to ensure that Athens, noted for its free flowing easy to navigate streets and highways, remains free of congestion.
The allocation of these valuable documents, doubtless there will be a black market in them, has been based on on the number of applications filled in at the Municipalities.
From a cursory glance at the different codings on the permits, and the restrictions applicable to each type of permit, it seems that the citizens of Athens will need to apply some considerable intellectual effort if they wish to understand the rules and regulations.
I cite this, as a random example, of the rules from the official press release:
"All vehicles may enter the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ), but only those with a Venue Access and Parking Permit for the specific CPZ may park and, of course, those with Permit for the respective CACZ. A CPZ permit holder is not permitted to park within the CACZ...."
To add to the confusion, that this system will doubtless cause, the access and parking permits will have 3 variables:
1 Colour
2 Venue
3 Vehicle number
Got that?
My advice to the good citizens of Athens is simple, whilst the Games are on, go away on holiday to another city or country.
Monday, June 28, 2004
The Games Will Run Like Clockwork
Preparations for the forthcoming Olympic Games, being held in Athens in August, have been overseen by Swiss lawyer; this, it is hoped, will ensure that they will run smoothly.
Denis Oswald is the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) top inspector, and as such was charged with overseeing the preparations for the Games.
Given the infrastructure issues at Athens, he has been quite busy as of late. He has been monitoring the progress for the last 3 years, since being asked to do so by the IOC President Jacques Rogge.
He will now be very familiar with the city of Athens, as it is reported that he has been there 25 times in the last 3 years.
His nickname, to some Greeks, is "Denis the Menace". Let's hope things turn out a little better for him in the end, than his cartoon namesake.
Denis Oswald is the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) top inspector, and as such was charged with overseeing the preparations for the Games.
Given the infrastructure issues at Athens, he has been quite busy as of late. He has been monitoring the progress for the last 3 years, since being asked to do so by the IOC President Jacques Rogge.
He will now be very familiar with the city of Athens, as it is reported that he has been there 25 times in the last 3 years.
His nickname, to some Greeks, is "Denis the Menace". Let's hope things turn out a little better for him in the end, than his cartoon namesake.
Thursday, June 24, 2004
Safe as the Middle East
It is reported that, in the light of the security concerns over the Olympics 2004 (being held in Athens), Israel will be taking a prominent role in assisting with the security arrangements.
The reports indicate that even the Israeli navy may be deployed in Greek coastal waters, in order to deal with "suspicious" ships.
The cost of the security operation for the Olympics 2004, is currently estimated to be around $1.2BN.
In addition to the navy, Israeli intelligence and private Israeli firms will be on hand to provide expertise, training and equipment.
It seems that had Greece not agreed to receive this assistance, Israel may well have boycotted the Olympics 2004; as they perceived the original security arrangements to be dreadful.
The reports indicate that even the Israeli navy may be deployed in Greek coastal waters, in order to deal with "suspicious" ships.
The cost of the security operation for the Olympics 2004, is currently estimated to be around $1.2BN.
In addition to the navy, Israeli intelligence and private Israeli firms will be on hand to provide expertise, training and equipment.
It seems that had Greece not agreed to receive this assistance, Israel may well have boycotted the Olympics 2004; as they perceived the original security arrangements to be dreadful.
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Can't Drop, Won't Drop
The organisers of the Olympic Games 2004, which are being held in Athens this August, are faced with something of a dilemma.
There are over 3 million unsold tickets for the Games, which begin in a little over 50 days time.
The organising committee will be launching a media blitz, which will push the Games as the safest yet etc. However, the simplest way to shift tickets would be to drop the prices.
Unfortunately, a mixture of stubbornness and worries about complaints from people who have already paid full price for their tickets are preventing this most sensible idea being implemented.
If you have any ideas as to how the tickets could be shifted, please feel free to drop me a line.
There are over 3 million unsold tickets for the Games, which begin in a little over 50 days time.
The organising committee will be launching a media blitz, which will push the Games as the safest yet etc. However, the simplest way to shift tickets would be to drop the prices.
Unfortunately, a mixture of stubbornness and worries about complaints from people who have already paid full price for their tickets are preventing this most sensible idea being implemented.
If you have any ideas as to how the tickets could be shifted, please feel free to drop me a line.
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
No Sweat
Those of you who lay in bed at night worrying about where to buy Olympic T shirts and sports products, that have not been produced by "sweat shop" labour, may soon be able to rest a little easier at night.
It is reported that NGO's, such as Oxfam, are increasing the pressure on firms such as Adidas et al to remove the taint of sweated labour.
The campaign "Play Fair at the Olympics", launched earlier this year, highlights the concern of the NGO's that manufacturing firms have been pushing their workers to the limit; in order to stock the shelves in time for the Olympics 2004, which are being held in Athens Greece.
The campaign highlights the wages of those who make these products; eg in Indonesia one company was paying its workers $99 per month for a 16 hour day.
The major companies that produce these articles claim that they have codes of conduct, that cover the ages and working conditions of their workforce. However, enforcing and policing them is difficult.
I would like to offer these companies a little tip; I was directly involved in the development and distribution of the codes of conduct for Philips and De Beers (see my resume), guys you are more than welcome to approach me for advice.
It is reported that NGO's, such as Oxfam, are increasing the pressure on firms such as Adidas et al to remove the taint of sweated labour.
The campaign "Play Fair at the Olympics", launched earlier this year, highlights the concern of the NGO's that manufacturing firms have been pushing their workers to the limit; in order to stock the shelves in time for the Olympics 2004, which are being held in Athens Greece.
The campaign highlights the wages of those who make these products; eg in Indonesia one company was paying its workers $99 per month for a 16 hour day.
The major companies that produce these articles claim that they have codes of conduct, that cover the ages and working conditions of their workforce. However, enforcing and policing them is difficult.
I would like to offer these companies a little tip; I was directly involved in the development and distribution of the codes of conduct for Philips and De Beers (see my resume), guys you are more than welcome to approach me for advice.
Monday, June 21, 2004
Flame in New York
The Olympic flame stopped off at the UN yesterday, as part of its world tour.
Kofi Annan lit an altar in front of the UN, which had been designed for the flame. Much was made of the symbolism of the visit of the flame to the UN.
Peace and goodwill to men were very much on peoples' minds at the ceremony.
Kofi Annan lit an altar in front of the UN, which had been designed for the flame. Much was made of the symbolism of the visit of the flame to the UN.
Peace and goodwill to men were very much on peoples' minds at the ceremony.
Sunday, June 20, 2004
It'll Be Alright on The Night
It seems that those of you worried about being able to buy tickets for the Olympics 2004, being held in Athens Greece, need not panic.
It is reported that Fani Palli-Petralia, Greece's Deputy Culture Minister, has stated that the Greek authorities may ask for lower ticket prices for the Games if sales don't pick up.
I understand that over 2.5M tickets (out of a total of 5M) for the Games have yet to be sold. This is despite the fact that the prices are lower than 4 years ago, when the Games were held in Sydney.
The Greek government are already very sensitive about the crtiticism that is being heaped upon them, for the poor organisation of the Games. Having half filled stadiums would be the final humiliation.
It seems that the organisers are counting on the well known Greek habit of doing everything at the last minute; and hoping for a last minute dash to buy the tickets.
It is reported that Fani Palli-Petralia, Greece's Deputy Culture Minister, has stated that the Greek authorities may ask for lower ticket prices for the Games if sales don't pick up.
I understand that over 2.5M tickets (out of a total of 5M) for the Games have yet to be sold. This is despite the fact that the prices are lower than 4 years ago, when the Games were held in Sydney.
The Greek government are already very sensitive about the crtiticism that is being heaped upon them, for the poor organisation of the Games. Having half filled stadiums would be the final humiliation.
It seems that the organisers are counting on the well known Greek habit of doing everything at the last minute; and hoping for a last minute dash to buy the tickets.
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