The Olympics Guaranteed
The International Olympic Committee President, Jacques Rogge, has issued a guarantee stating that the 2004 Athens Olympics will be held on time.
So that's alright then isn't it? Can't think why anyone was worried about the Games not being on schedule.
Monday, 31 May 2004
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?
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?
Sunday, 30 May 2004
Hanging On The Telephone
It seems that issues with regard to site construction and security aren't the only causes for concern, as preparations continue for the Olympics 2004 being hosted in Athens.
In a rather unwise move (to my view), only one company has been given the contract to supply all the communications infrastructure for the games. The infrastructure will have to feed a news hungry world-wide audience, estimated to be 4BN.
Putting all your eggs in one basket is a high risk strategy, which may not pay off.
The telecommunications infrastructure has to provide services to 60 Olympic facilities in Athens, and the rest of Greece. A network has to be built to carry a broadcast signal from all Olympic facilities to the international broadcast centre, which houses over 1500 fiber-optic cables.
43000 phone lines will have to be set up, along with 6000 high-speed computer connections and 5000 broadband data connections. Secure lines also have to be put in place for the police, and other emergency services.
The telecom infrastructure, used by ordinary Greek citizens and visitors, has to be up the task of handling the load during the games as well.
The company entrusted with this Herculean task is OTE.
Rumours are circulating that there have been setbacks and delays in their efforts to finish on schedule. Greek newspapers have reported that they have only completed 50% of their scheduled tasks.
However, OTE are confident that everything will be alright on the night; and blamed the situation on the delays in building construction, not their responsibility.
It seems that issues with regard to site construction and security aren't the only causes for concern, as preparations continue for the Olympics 2004 being hosted in Athens.
In a rather unwise move (to my view), only one company has been given the contract to supply all the communications infrastructure for the games. The infrastructure will have to feed a news hungry world-wide audience, estimated to be 4BN.
Putting all your eggs in one basket is a high risk strategy, which may not pay off.
The telecommunications infrastructure has to provide services to 60 Olympic facilities in Athens, and the rest of Greece. A network has to be built to carry a broadcast signal from all Olympic facilities to the international broadcast centre, which houses over 1500 fiber-optic cables.
43000 phone lines will have to be set up, along with 6000 high-speed computer connections and 5000 broadband data connections. Secure lines also have to be put in place for the police, and other emergency services.
The telecom infrastructure, used by ordinary Greek citizens and visitors, has to be up the task of handling the load during the games as well.
The company entrusted with this Herculean task is OTE.
Rumours are circulating that there have been setbacks and delays in their efforts to finish on schedule. Greek newspapers have reported that they have only completed 50% of their scheduled tasks.
However, OTE are confident that everything will be alright on the night; and blamed the situation on the delays in building construction, not their responsibility.
Saturday, 29 May 2004
Money Well Spent?
It seems that the delivery of the IT security system for the Athens Olympics will be delayed until the end of June.
The system is being supplied by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), who had promised to deliver it by the end of May.
There are unconfirmed reports that even when delivered, the system will only be 85% functional; does that give you a feeling of confidence, or not?
Security is proving to be an expensive headache, the cost is estimated to be 1BN Euros. Given the cost, one might have expected that the authorities would get a system that was 100% functional.
It seems that the delivery of the IT security system for the Athens Olympics will be delayed until the end of June.
The system is being supplied by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), who had promised to deliver it by the end of May.
There are unconfirmed reports that even when delivered, the system will only be 85% functional; does that give you a feeling of confidence, or not?
Security is proving to be an expensive headache, the cost is estimated to be 1BN Euros. Given the cost, one might have expected that the authorities would get a system that was 100% functional.
Friday, 28 May 2004
Oops, Off Message
In a splendidly frank and honest admission the Greek Public Works Minister, George Souflias, has said that Greece may have made a mistake in taking on the Athens Olympics for this summer.
Costs seem to be out of control, with construction and security matters proving to be a major headache.
One particular tale, that probably best sums up the chaos wrt security and construction, has caught my eye.
It seems that one of the companies hired to dig the sewers for the Olympic sites, and lay the manhole covers over the sewers, has done a splendid job in respect of laying the nice new manhole covers.
Unfortunately, the cover nothing; as they neglected to dig the sewers.
These games are going to be fun!
In a splendidly frank and honest admission the Greek Public Works Minister, George Souflias, has said that Greece may have made a mistake in taking on the Athens Olympics for this summer.
Costs seem to be out of control, with construction and security matters proving to be a major headache.
One particular tale, that probably best sums up the chaos wrt security and construction, has caught my eye.
It seems that one of the companies hired to dig the sewers for the Olympic sites, and lay the manhole covers over the sewers, has done a splendid job in respect of laying the nice new manhole covers.
Unfortunately, the cover nothing; as they neglected to dig the sewers.
These games are going to be fun!
Thursday, 27 May 2004
Webathon
It seems that this site is not alone in providing commentary on the Olympics, via the internet.
It is expected that the Olympics 2004 will see a surge in reporting via the net, and mobile phones.
The doubling of broadband subscribers over the last two years is expected to fuel this demand for live streaming and related news.
The Olympic organisers expect 10M web visitors a day.
Major companies such as Canon and T-Mobile are jumping on the Olympic internet bandwagon.
It seems that this site is not alone in providing commentary on the Olympics, via the internet.
It is expected that the Olympics 2004 will see a surge in reporting via the net, and mobile phones.
The doubling of broadband subscribers over the last two years is expected to fuel this demand for live streaming and related news.
The Olympic organisers expect 10M web visitors a day.
Major companies such as Canon and T-Mobile are jumping on the Olympic internet bandwagon.
Wednesday, 26 May 2004
The Nuclear Olympics
I understand that the US Secretary of Energy, Spencer Abraham, has given hand held radiological detection equipment to Greek officials; to help with improving security for the forthcoming Olympic Games, being held in Athens.
Additionally, the US are also providing assistance with regard to protecting against the theft of radioactive materials located within Greece; that could be used for terrorist purposes during the Olympic Games. They are also implementing security upgrades at the Demokritos research reactor.
How reassuring for the athletes and the spectators!
I understand that the US Secretary of Energy, Spencer Abraham, has given hand held radiological detection equipment to Greek officials; to help with improving security for the forthcoming Olympic Games, being held in Athens.
Additionally, the US are also providing assistance with regard to protecting against the theft of radioactive materials located within Greece; that could be used for terrorist purposes during the Olympic Games. They are also implementing security upgrades at the Demokritos research reactor.
How reassuring for the athletes and the spectators!
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