Olympics: IOC backs Athens 2004 despite delays

ATHENS - International Olympic Committee vice-president Jacques Rogge says he believes Greece will be ready to host the 2004 Games, despite concerns about delays.

Rogge told Radio Planet in Athens it would not be easy, but he was certain Greek organisers would meet new deadlines set by the IOC.

"We have asked the Government to bring forward the timetable for completion of the projects to the end of 2003," Rogge said. "That is some months earlier than the initial plan of May 2004."

Rogge denied that the IOC was considering withdrawing its invitation for Athens to host the 2004 Games.

"We gave them to Greece because it deserves them."

He said that earlier reports of comments he had made concerning delays in preparing the Games had been misinterpreted.

"I never said that the Greek Government is not handling the issue correctly," he said.

Continuous squabbles between the Athens 2004 organising committee and the Greek Government over who has control of the 2004 Games have worried the IOC.

Bureaucratic delays and chronic infighting have plagued Greece's organising efforts from the start and the IOC warned Athens in April to roll up its sleeves or risk losing the Games.

But problems persisted, despite a pledge by Prime Minister Costas Simitis to personally oversee progress.

There was also a change at the helm: Gianna Angelopoulou, credited with winning Greece's bid in 1996, was appointed head organiser.

- REUTERS

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