Olympics: IOC rules out moving 2004 Games

ATHENS - International Olympic Committee (IOC) leader Jacques Rogge has ruled out the 2004 Summer Games being moved away from Athens because of security fears and organisational problems.

Reacting to media reports that 1988 hosts Seoul or 2000 Games organiser Sydney were ready to step in, the IOC's chief co-ordinator for 2004 said: "I can rule out any other location than Athens. The games will be held in Athens. No question about that."

Last year IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch handed the Greek capital a blunt warning that the 2004 Games could be in danger if they failed to improve their organisation.

But following three days of meetings with Athens organisers and Greek government officials, Rogge said: "It is a totally different situation today. It is a very good organising committee.

"Deadlines have to be met. There is no room for delay ... If they continue at the same pace, we will have a fantastic Games."

The media reports about Sydney and Seoul were discussed at an overnight meeting attended by Michael Knight, Australia's former Olympic minister who ran last year's successful Sydney Games and who is advising the Greeks on their preparations.

"When that was discussed, Michael Knight laughed," Rogge said. "He said there was no way they would want to do it a second time."

Rogge, a hot favourite to win July's vote for the IOC successor to Samaranch, said it would be impossible for another city to step in to organise an event which demanded major planning.

"Today is is impossible to organise Games in three years time," he said.

Athens already had an impressive Olympic Stadium and swimming complex in place before it won the right to stage the Games in 1997.

But the Greeks have been accused of dragging their feet on organisational issues in the last few years and letting bureaucracy get in the way of plans for the biggest sporting event on the planet.

The Greeks are also under pressure to get their transport system ready for the Games and to build the venues and hotels which are vital to hosting a successful Olympics.

There have also been worries about security and the government has been working hard on new anti-terrorist measures.

The November 17 urban guerrilla group that gunned down British defence attache Stephen Saunders in June last year has operated for the past 25 years.

The Leftist group has killed more that 20 Greeks and foreigners since emerging in 1975.

But Rogge, who held separate meetings with nine government ministers during his visit to the Greek capital, told a news conference: "There have been very good results in the field of security. "

Rogge said the IOC was still concerned about the number of hotel rooms needed to accommodate all the spectators. He urged the government to do what it could to encourage private enterprise to build the hotels.

The Greeks are planning to use cruise ships to ease the hotel problem and last week the government said it would allow 28 new luxury hotels to be build in Athens.

"We still have concerns about the number of hotel rooms, " Rogge said. "We need the extra rooms."

Transport is a critical issue. The streets of Athens were clogged on Friday after security measures had been taken for an historic visit by the Pope.

Rogge urged people in Athens to leave their cars at home during the Games and to use public transport.

He said the Olympics would be returning to their roots in Greece where the modern Games began at the end of the 19th century.

Athens has a chance to bring a special spirit to the Olympics but the Belgian surgeon told the Greeks they could not afford to slacken on the job.

"It is a matter of the quality of the Games held in Athens. If they continue at the same pace, they will be fantastic Games. If they slow down, they will be a less than excellent Games."

- REUTERS

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