Olympics: Athens will be full of surprises says Olympic head

By JULIE ASH

Prepare for the unexpected. That's the message New Zealand Olympic Committee secretary-general Barry Maister will continue to drum into athletes heading to Athens.

Maister was able to check on the progress being made in Athens while in the city for a meeting of the Association of National Olympic Committees this month.

"The venues are world-class and so is the Olympic village and I think those are the key elements," he said.

"The things where the worry beads start to come out are the finishing off of the surrounds of those facilities like the carpark, access to them and so on.

"There is an impressive roading network that has been put in but there are still a couple of vital links to complete and those are pretty vital because if they are not in place then the whole thing won't work.

"It will be done. The light rail I am sure will be close [to being finished] and the roof to the main stadium, which has become quite an issue, could be touch-and-go but it won't stop the athletic event from being held because the track is fine."

Maister said getting around Athens was an issue.

"But there are three things that will happen in August which weren't evident.

"Firstly August is the summer holidays and a lot of people leave Athens at the time, which should reduce traffic congestion.

"Secondly, the roads will be completed and the tram system will be completed ... hopefully.

"Thirdly they are going to put in dedicated lanes for Olympic vehicles."

While aspects such as the heat and transport were going to be challenging, Maister said it was important to consider the positives of the event being staged in Athens.

"These games will be the most unique, magical and wonderful experience that an athlete could ever experience just because of where it is being held.

"The place just reeks of history. It is going to be hair-raising stuff."