Yesterday Greece released a list of the top 86 security scares, during the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Topping the list was a propane leak at a seaside resort, housing America's leading business executives.
The minister of public order, George Voulgarakis, noted at the news conference that there was a very real threat that the use of a mobile phone would have resulted in a large explosion at the resort.
Thursday, 14 October 2004
Wednesday, 13 October 2004
Zeppelin Flies Away
The 60 metre Olympics Zeppelin which was laden with cameras and sensors, and became a daily feature of the Athens skyline during the Olympics, has moved on.
Information collected by the Zeppelin was used together with images from the 1,200 street cameras, police helicopters and surveillance vans; as part of the US$1.5BN security operation. The operation officially ended on October 4.
The Zeppelin, which is operated by Airship Management Services Inc, stayed on a few extra days; while the company discussed potential future business deals.
These include possibly providing security at the Beijing Games in 2008, watching over the Muslim pilgrimage at Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, and filming Greek holiday destinations for the Greek tourism ministry.
Information collected by the Zeppelin was used together with images from the 1,200 street cameras, police helicopters and surveillance vans; as part of the US$1.5BN security operation. The operation officially ended on October 4.
The Zeppelin, which is operated by Airship Management Services Inc, stayed on a few extra days; while the company discussed potential future business deals.
These include possibly providing security at the Beijing Games in 2008, watching over the Muslim pilgrimage at Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, and filming Greek holiday destinations for the Greek tourism ministry.
Tuesday, 12 October 2004
Even Horses Do Drugs
It seems that some "athletes" will stop at nothing to win a glittery medal at the Olympics.
It is reported that Irish show jumper Cian O'Connor, who won gold at Athens, has had his horse tested for drugs.
The poor horse, who is totally blameless, was found to be doped with a banned substance.
O'Connor claims that he is innocent and that the second sample, when tested, will show that he is innocent.
The horse, Waterford Crystal, declined to comment.
It is reported that Irish show jumper Cian O'Connor, who won gold at Athens, has had his horse tested for drugs.
The poor horse, who is totally blameless, was found to be doped with a banned substance.
O'Connor claims that he is innocent and that the second sample, when tested, will show that he is innocent.
The horse, Waterford Crystal, declined to comment.
Monday, 11 October 2004
A Cleaner Olympics
It is reported that the China Petrochemical Corporation has been named as an official sponsor of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
It has promised to clean up its fuel, in order to meet the pre-Games anti-pollution standards.
The company will fund and provide petrochemical products and services for the 2008 Olympic Games, at a cost of $1.6BN, as well as for China's team at the 2006 Winter Games in Italy.
Other sponsors of the 2008 Games are; Volkswagen AG and Chinese firms Bank of China, China Mobile , China Network Communications and Air China.
It has promised to clean up its fuel, in order to meet the pre-Games anti-pollution standards.
The company will fund and provide petrochemical products and services for the 2008 Olympic Games, at a cost of $1.6BN, as well as for China's team at the 2006 Winter Games in Italy.
Other sponsors of the 2008 Games are; Volkswagen AG and Chinese firms Bank of China, China Mobile , China Network Communications and Air China.
Sunday, 10 October 2004
Rumour and Speculation
There is a rumour, gathering ground, on the net that sponsorship money was syphoned off from the 2004 Olympics into the pockets of certain individuals.
It seems that the money was laundered through an organisation called Octagon. I understand that this company is now being investigated.
The Head of the Athens First Instance Courts, on Thursday, ordered a preliminary investigation into Greek press reports; citing dubious links between Octagon Worldwide Holdings BV and sponsorship deals for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
Athens dailies, "Eleftherotypia" and "Avriani", allege that Octagon acted as an intermediary in sponsorship deals involving the Athens 2004 Olympics Games Organizing Committee (ATHOC).
Press reports also claimed that no firm without Octagon representation succeeded in landing a deal with ATHOC.
The case has been assigned to a prosecutor.
This will get very messy, and could well undermine the Olympics as a whole.
It seems that the money was laundered through an organisation called Octagon. I understand that this company is now being investigated.
The Head of the Athens First Instance Courts, on Thursday, ordered a preliminary investigation into Greek press reports; citing dubious links between Octagon Worldwide Holdings BV and sponsorship deals for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
Athens dailies, "Eleftherotypia" and "Avriani", allege that Octagon acted as an intermediary in sponsorship deals involving the Athens 2004 Olympics Games Organizing Committee (ATHOC).
Press reports also claimed that no firm without Octagon representation succeeded in landing a deal with ATHOC.
The case has been assigned to a prosecutor.
This will get very messy, and could well undermine the Olympics as a whole.
Saturday, 9 October 2004
Overzealous
The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) has reportedly asked President Bush to shut down the part of his campaign website that uses the word "Olympics".
The site shows a cartoon game, "John Kerry's Flip Flop Olympics"which asks players to guess Kerry's stances on issues.
It seems that the use of the word "Olympics" is barred under a federal law; only the USOC, according to the USOC that is, can use the word.
The USOC overzealously guards this word, nothing to do with the royalties that it generates of course!
Money and the Olympics go hand in hand, sport is but a side issue.
The Bush team, so I understand, have ignored the request.
Quite right!
The site shows a cartoon game, "John Kerry's Flip Flop Olympics"which asks players to guess Kerry's stances on issues.
It seems that the use of the word "Olympics" is barred under a federal law; only the USOC, according to the USOC that is, can use the word.
The USOC overzealously guards this word, nothing to do with the royalties that it generates of course!
Money and the Olympics go hand in hand, sport is but a side issue.
The Bush team, so I understand, have ignored the request.
Quite right!
Friday, 8 October 2004
What a Whopper!
The Athens Olympics are but a faded memory. However, the bills are now being tallied up.
The Greek government is "trying" to add up the costs, and has stated that it will "announce it shortly...all these unanswered questions will be answered...".
The public deficit has breached 5.3% of GDP; which is not at all good news, as it breaches the EU 3% ceiling.
Estimates vary as to what the final bill will be. However, it is likely to be around $12BN (the budget was just under $6BN).
The Greek government is also trying to work out what to do with the $3BN of Olympic buildings, constructed for the Games. These will cost $100M per year to maintain.
As Premier Costas Caramanlis says:
"The country is facing an acute financial problem that can no longer be hidden..."
Quite!
The Greek government is "trying" to add up the costs, and has stated that it will "announce it shortly...all these unanswered questions will be answered...".
The public deficit has breached 5.3% of GDP; which is not at all good news, as it breaches the EU 3% ceiling.
Estimates vary as to what the final bill will be. However, it is likely to be around $12BN (the budget was just under $6BN).
The Greek government is also trying to work out what to do with the $3BN of Olympic buildings, constructed for the Games. These will cost $100M per year to maintain.
As Premier Costas Caramanlis says:
"The country is facing an acute financial problem that can no longer be hidden..."
Quite!
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