While Premier Costas Simitis acknowledged problems continue to plague Olympic preparations yesterday, International Olympic Committee inspectors appeared ready to give Athens a positive report on recent test events.
The views presented a curious switch. Previously, the IOC has been more critical of Athens' troubled effort to host next year's games.
But Simitis and other government officials were concerned about setting expectations too high and suffering the political fallout if more difficulties occur. National elections must be held no later than May -- just three months before the Olympics.
"Problems? They exist today. That is exactly why we are doing the test events -- to see where there are shortcomings," Simitis said. "We do not have the illusions that everything is perfect -- anything but. But because of this, we want to go forward with plans and decisiveness."
Simitis made the statements while touring the beach volleyball and Agios Kosmas sailing venues, where the two test events will be held this month. Simitis was joined by the chief Athens 2004 organizer, Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, and Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou.
Meanwhile, a delegation headed by Denis Oswald, the IOC official in charge of Athens' preparations, met with organizers for a briefing on test events which began earlier this month.
"The IOC's feeling on the test events is very positive. Test events are done for the very purpose of testing different functional areas, and overall the work of the organizers has been very good," IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies said.
But the test events have faced problems.
High winds lashed the world junior rowing championships, canceling one day of competition and touching off a debate about the country's ability to hold next year's games. Meanwhile, the German team did not compete because of salmonella poisoning from hotel food.
"This period we are resolving problems, following systematically the development of the sports events, fixing what we are obliged to fix," Angelopoulos-Daskalaki said. "Our goal is to continuously improve and for us to be ready next year."
Oswald is scheduled to meet with Simitis to discuss problems concerning preparations in general. Oswald will also visit the beach volleyball site and the coastal suburb of Paleo Faliron, where residents have violently opposed the construction of a tram line. The tram is supposed to ease traffic to seaside venues during the Olympics.
"It is the follow-up meeting looking at all aspects of the games preparations with Athoc [Athens organizers] and government authorities," Davies said.
Besides the tram line, lingering problems remain over whether a delayed glass-and-steel roof designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava can be erected in time at the main Olympic stadium. IOC officials are worried the roof might interfere with already stalled test events at the stadium.
Other IOC worries include construction delays at the sports complex at the old airport of Hellenikon. The complex will host baseball, softball and preliminary basketball games.
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