Athens Still a Question Mark

Fewer than 500 days remain before the Athens Games, and another tug of war may be starting between organizers and the International Olympic Committee.

IOC officials are expected to confront Greek organizers when they visit Athens Tuesday for a three-day review.

A progress report indicates they will find serious delays at two main sports complexes that will be host of everything from the opening ceremony to the popular basketball preliminaries.

The IOC’s central worry has been the main Olympic complex, the showcase and focal point for the Athens Games.

“The project is critical and has no alternatives. Very tight schedule,” said the report, a copy of which was obtained by the Associated Press.

The delays have become so serious that in February IOC President Jacques Rogge was forced to issue a warning. That started yet another round of infighting between the Athens Olympic Committee, the government and the IOC.

Such squabbling, bureaucratic delays and legal actions by Athens residents angered with construction projects, have been the main cause for past delays. Three years ago, those delays grew so serious the IOC openly feared the games were in danger.

“We have a great deal yet to accomplish in a very short time. Despite the pressure, we are increasingly confident that our preparations will be completed on time,” said Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, Athens organization chief.

The 500 days are enough, she added.

“We have come a long way in a very short time,” Angelopoulos-Daskalaki said. “We have a clear plan of what must be accomplished in the 500 days that remain.”

The delays could affect test events or competitions that allow officials to assess sites, and allow time for corrections before the Olympics.

Several test events, including softball and wrestling, have already been pushed back because of delays. Officials hope the delays will not force them to relocate these events to other temporary facilities, and Olympics officials are expected to present IOC members with a final calendar during their visit.

Most of the new difficulties focus on construction at the Olympic complex, also known as OAKA. At the Olympic stadium, just 30% of the necessary work has been completed.

During their visit, the IOC officials will have to decide whether to go ahead with a glass-and-steel roof designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. The project, which includes other works at OAKA, will cost about $251 million.

“There are concerns regarding the stadium roof construction, due to delays in the contract award and restricted construction time,” the report said.

According to the report, the steel elements making up the roof are being built ahead of schedule, but they must be at the site by the end of this month.

It also found OAKA projects needed better coordination.

A contract remains pending for areas outside the stadium, including restaurants, spectator areas and a main promenade. The government already scrapped plans for an auxiliary building to accommodate Olympic officials and media.

The other major problem is a seaside sports complex at Athens’ former Hellenikon airport, where according to the report only 12% of the work has been completed.

“Close monitoring of the works required. Extremely tight schedule,” the report said of Hellenikon.

The complex will be host of men’s and women’s basketball preliminaries, baseball, softball, hockey and will feature an artificial whitewater course for canoe and kayak.

Construction of the basketball facility has been delayed for months because of legal disputes, while work on the whitewater course got underway recently.

The government has promised to hand over the venues to Athens organizers by May 31, 2004.

Another worry is the venue for the Athens soccer tournament.

Although the government completed a complex deal to refurbish the Karaeskaki soccer stadium in time for the 2004 Olympics, the IOC is still concerned there may not be enough time to finish the work.

Rogge, however, has not been completely negative, and noted that since his warning he has seen a “major difference.

“Delays pop up and you have to adjust to them,” Rogge said. “At other times, things go quietly and you have to rejoice. This might not be the last time we are expressing concerns. What counts is that everything is ready for the opening ceremony.”