The Blame Culture
It is reported that Greece's new finance minister, Giorgos Alogoskoufis, has admitted that the cost of hosting the Olympic games in Athens this year is higher than expected.
He has also said that the rewards are less than Greece anticipated.
In a fine example of "high politics" he has blamed the previous socialist administration for the delays and cost overruns. Alogoskoufis's party defeated them in the March elections, and now have the pleasure of getting the preparations on track for the opening on the 13th of August.
Greece was awarded the Olympics in 1997, but adopting a "laid back attitude"; did not start work on construction and other important areas until 2000. This was only at the behest of the IOC, who warned them they games were in danger.
It seems that the estimated costs have risen by a "whopping" $1.19 billion, on top of this the delays in construction have damaged Greece's "brand value".
Why do countries still bother trying to hold these?
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