Earlier doubts about whether the President of the United States would venture out of the USA, and attend the forthcoming Olympics in Athens have been dispelled.
It is reported that President Bush, and family members will be attending the Olympics.
Unfortunately it is not the current President, but his father; in the US former Presidents retain their title.
However, "W's" daughters will also be attending.
Is this a vote of confidence in the security arrangement for the Olympics 2004?
Monday, July 19, 2004
Sunday, July 18, 2004
Almost There
It is reported that components of the security system that is meant to protect the Olympic Games 2004, which are being held in Athens, are almost ready to be delivered.
The original delivery date had been scheduled for the end of May. However, delays in the construction of the Olympic stadium; and other unspecified "issues" have been cited as the main factors in the late delivery of these components.
It is reported that the Greek authorities have held back the final payment of 140M Euros to the supplier, Science Applications International Corps, until the components are installed.
These components are necessary for the effective functioning of the cameras, and communication systems, protecting the Games.
Without them, the security forces are in effect deaf and blind.
The original delivery date had been scheduled for the end of May. However, delays in the construction of the Olympic stadium; and other unspecified "issues" have been cited as the main factors in the late delivery of these components.
It is reported that the Greek authorities have held back the final payment of 140M Euros to the supplier, Science Applications International Corps, until the components are installed.
These components are necessary for the effective functioning of the cameras, and communication systems, protecting the Games.
Without them, the security forces are in effect deaf and blind.
Saturday, July 17, 2004
Cobblers
It seems that much of the construction work, in preparing Athens for the forthcoming Olympic Games, is showing signs of being finished on time.
However, one area of Athens is taking its preparations close to the wire.
It is reported that in Maroussi (a suburb of Athens), there is much left to be done; as its streets are dug up, and replaced with cobbles. The centre of the town still, according to reports, resembles a construction site.
The rationale for this face change comes from the local council, who wish to "pedestrianise" the centre.
The trouble is, apart from the work being behind schedule, it seems that no one bothered to ask the 70000 local inhabitants what they thought of the idea.
The nickname of the area was paradise, residents are now mourning "paradise lost".
However, one area of Athens is taking its preparations close to the wire.
It is reported that in Maroussi (a suburb of Athens), there is much left to be done; as its streets are dug up, and replaced with cobbles. The centre of the town still, according to reports, resembles a construction site.
The rationale for this face change comes from the local council, who wish to "pedestrianise" the centre.
The trouble is, apart from the work being behind schedule, it seems that no one bothered to ask the 70000 local inhabitants what they thought of the idea.
The nickname of the area was paradise, residents are now mourning "paradise lost".
Friday, July 16, 2004
Doing It Large
The organisers of the Olympics 2004, which are being held in Athens in less than a month, are taking the security threat seriously.
It is reported that NATO's entire Mediterranean naval fleet will be assigned to protect the Olympics.
The NATO fleet will work alongside the Greek navy, to keep an eye on the Greek coastline and sealanes during the Games.
More than 12 frigates, destroyers and other assorted vessels will be deployed.
It is reported that NATO's entire Mediterranean naval fleet will be assigned to protect the Olympics.
The NATO fleet will work alongside the Greek navy, to keep an eye on the Greek coastline and sealanes during the Games.
More than 12 frigates, destroyers and other assorted vessels will be deployed.
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
Dog Day Afternoon
It seems that the Olympics 2004, which are being held in Athens, may not be universally popular.
It is reported that 15000 stray dogs may be poisoned, before the start of the Olympic Games on the 13th of August.
The reason for this mass poisoning is one of aesthetics. It appears that the Greek authorities don't want visitors to see stray dogs befouling the immaculate city of Athens.
The rationale, according to reports, is that the authorities wish to portray Greece as a civilised place.
In my view, a measure of a society's civilisation is how that society treats its fellow living creatures. Poisoning them en masse, does not seem to me to be terribly civilised.
It is reported that 15000 stray dogs may be poisoned, before the start of the Olympic Games on the 13th of August.
The reason for this mass poisoning is one of aesthetics. It appears that the Greek authorities don't want visitors to see stray dogs befouling the immaculate city of Athens.
The rationale, according to reports, is that the authorities wish to portray Greece as a civilised place.
In my view, a measure of a society's civilisation is how that society treats its fellow living creatures. Poisoning them en masse, does not seem to me to be terribly civilised.
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Power Down
Athens, which will host the Olympics 2004 in August, suffered an enormous power blackout yesterday.
Needless to say it caused chaos as far as the eye could see.
Although the power came back on in Athens about 20 minutes after it went down, other parts of Greece were blacked out for 4 hours. The minister for transport experienced the blackout first hand, as he was testing the new rail link between the airport and Athens.
The main theory is that excess demand caused the outage.
The question is, will the system cope with the demand during the Olympic Games?
Needless to say it caused chaos as far as the eye could see.
Although the power came back on in Athens about 20 minutes after it went down, other parts of Greece were blacked out for 4 hours. The minister for transport experienced the blackout first hand, as he was testing the new rail link between the airport and Athens.
The main theory is that excess demand caused the outage.
The question is, will the system cope with the demand during the Olympic Games?
Monday, July 12, 2004
Megalomania
In a splendidly absurd example of megalomania, the Olympic organisers have issued a decree that prohibits groups of people attending the forthcoming Olympic Games in Athens if they wear T shirts and other clothing bearing the logos of companies or organisations that are not sponsoring the event.
The theory is that they want to keep the Games clear of advertising.
Umm...a few points here guys (addressed to the Olympic organisers), just to clarify my understanding of the rules:
1 What constitutes a group? 20 people sitting together, or 20 people sitting apart?
2 Why can people wearing the logos of the sponsors attend the Games en masse? This constitutes advertising does it not?
3 What gives you the right to dictate to people what they will wear?
4 Define non sponsor; eg does the wearing of a T shirt with an NGO logo constitute a breach of the rules?
5 There are 3 million unsold tickets for the Games, does this restriction help the sales of tickets?
The Games organisers claim to be protecting the Games from commercialisation. I suspect that the reality is that one or more of the official sponsors, fearful of a poor turnout for these Games, have "strongarmed" the organisers and forced them into issuing this absurd ruling.
My advice to people attending the Games is to go along wearing identical T shirts, hats, bags anything you can find that does not have an official sponsor logo; to show how absurd the ruling is.
The theory is that they want to keep the Games clear of advertising.
Umm...a few points here guys (addressed to the Olympic organisers), just to clarify my understanding of the rules:
1 What constitutes a group? 20 people sitting together, or 20 people sitting apart?
2 Why can people wearing the logos of the sponsors attend the Games en masse? This constitutes advertising does it not?
3 What gives you the right to dictate to people what they will wear?
4 Define non sponsor; eg does the wearing of a T shirt with an NGO logo constitute a breach of the rules?
5 There are 3 million unsold tickets for the Games, does this restriction help the sales of tickets?
The Games organisers claim to be protecting the Games from commercialisation. I suspect that the reality is that one or more of the official sponsors, fearful of a poor turnout for these Games, have "strongarmed" the organisers and forced them into issuing this absurd ruling.
My advice to people attending the Games is to go along wearing identical T shirts, hats, bags anything you can find that does not have an official sponsor logo; to show how absurd the ruling is.
Sunday, July 11, 2004
Banquo's Ghost
Oh dear, some people refuse to move on.
It is reported that Ben Johnson, the sprinter who was kicked out of the Seoul Olympic Games in 1988, claims that everybody was on drugs at those Olympics.
He blames his country, Canada, for not supporting him. In his view everyone else was "doing it", and their countries knew full well what was going on.
Whether the allegation is true or not, those Games were 16 years ago; it is time to move on and get on with your life Ben.
However, it may now be time for the International Olympic Committee to consider mandatory drug testing for all the athletes competing in the Olympic Games. The Games will only survive if their reputation is beyond reproach. Accusations such as this, do much harm to the reputation of the Games and the athletes competing.
It is reported that Ben Johnson, the sprinter who was kicked out of the Seoul Olympic Games in 1988, claims that everybody was on drugs at those Olympics.
He blames his country, Canada, for not supporting him. In his view everyone else was "doing it", and their countries knew full well what was going on.
Whether the allegation is true or not, those Games were 16 years ago; it is time to move on and get on with your life Ben.
However, it may now be time for the International Olympic Committee to consider mandatory drug testing for all the athletes competing in the Olympic Games. The Games will only survive if their reputation is beyond reproach. Accusations such as this, do much harm to the reputation of the Games and the athletes competing.
Saturday, July 10, 2004
Echoes of The Past
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.
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)