Greece promises safe Olympics,
but delays may not

ATHENS, Greece – When terrorists hit Spain on March 11,

one of the biggest tremors was felt in Athens, which this summer

will host the first summer Olympics since Sept. 11 terror

attacks.

Now the Greeks are scrambling to convince the world that they will

achieve two sometimes competing goals in August: An Olympics with

first-class security, and an Olympics where security does not

overwhelm the Olympic spirit.

“It would be a great pity if these become the security games

as opposed to the Olympic Games,” said Paul Anastasi, mayoral

spokesman for the city of Athens.

Despite promises by the Greek Olympic Committee and the government

that both athletes and spectators can expect superior protection

this summer, a walk around Athens less than five months before the

Aug. 13 opening ceremonies indicates a laxer attitude.

Construction on more than half of the Olympic venues in and around

the city is delayed or seriously delayed. Though they may ready in

time, it is hard to imagine that by cutting it so close –

several projects are scheduled for completion in May and June

– the Greeks will have time to adequately test their $900

million security plan.

“We have received assurances from the authorities that work

will be intensified and that we will be able to control these

facilities on time,” said Eleftherios Ikonomou, spokesman for

the Ministry of Public Order, which is coordinating security for

the games.

The ministry plans to take control of Olympic venues on July 1.

But today Olympic construction sites are exposed and insecure, and

Ikonomou acknowledges that the technicians have yet to install many

of the 1,013 cameras that will allow authorities to keep an eye on

all Olympic venues. An additional 213 cameras will watch roads and

other potential targets in and around Athens.

At the Olympic Village north of Athens, security fences are not yet

in place.

It was only after the Madrid bombings that the Athenians called for

help from NATO, which will patrol a no-fly zone above the Olympics

and the seas around the city.

Olympic organizers and promoters still express confidence in the

Greeks’ ability to protect the more than 1 million athletes,

diplomats and spectators who will visit Athens for the Olympics.

the first to be held in the Greece since the Greeks revived the

ancient games in 1896.

“I personally feel that Athens will be the most secure place

in the world during the 2004 Olympics,” said Alexandros

Lamnides, executive director of the American-Hellenic Chamber of

Commerce.

He noted that Greece is spending more than three times what was

spent at the last summer games, in Sydney, Australia, four years

ago.

Lauren Markoe
Knight Ridder Newspapers

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