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Rogge says Athens ready to host 'magical Games'
After years of pushing, prodding and scolding, Athens is now ready to host "magical Games," the head of the International Olympic Committee said Wednesday. "It's a magic moment because this is the culmination of seven years of preparations and in a little more than a week's time the Games will begin and the whole world is waiting for that," president Jacques Rogge said. "We are heading to very, very successful Games." Rogge will meet with officials to discuss the Games and will preside over the IOC executive board meetings this weekend before moving into the Olympic village. The IOC was not always so optimistic about the Aug. 13-29 Games. Rogge was the IOC's co-ordination commission chairman for Athens when former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch warned the Greeks in 2000 about construction delays and organizational problems. After becoming head of the IOC in 2001, Rogge appointed Denis Oswald, a Swiss IOC member, to replace him. Oswald also had to push officials to make up for the initial delays. Now, all venue construction is virtually finished, leaving only landscaping and other final details to be completed. Greece has deployed 70,000 police and soldiers to guard the Olympics, plus an additional 35,000 military personnel to guard railroad stations, borders and other areas, mainly outside Athens. Rogge said the security presence will not affect the Games. Greece has spent a record $1.9 billion Cdn to protect the Olympics. "Everything is ready. Greece is realizing a big, modern, peaceful games," Culture Minister Fani Palli-Petralia said. On another subject, Rogge said the IOC will take "necessary action" on any misconduct in the bidding process for the 2012 Summer Games, which have not yet been awarded. A BBC news program secretly filmed four agents claiming they could secure IOC members' votes for money. The case was turned over to the IOC ethics commission last week. The only IOC member implicated in any possible misconduct is Ivan Slavkov of Bulgaria. He has denied any wrongdoing. |
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