>> Athens 2004 - the OLYMPICS thread <<

[KONSTANTINOUPOLIS]

Ano Liossia Olympic Hall **UPDATED**








all pics from Athens2004.gr

[KONSTANTINOUPOLIS]

THE ONASSIS HOUSE OF LETTERS AND FINE ARTS

The building is to be erected on a plot of land owned by the Foundation, of apporximately 3,000 sq.m. surrounded by streets, located at 109 Syngrou Avenue in Athens,it will be completed in 2005.

The height of the building will be 27m. with a total interior surface of 18,000 sq.m., which will consist of the following areas:

A large amphitheatre of approx. 1,000 seats with a stage for symphonic orchestra, theatrical performances, opera, dance, lectures etc.
Two or three halls of 100-300 seats each for smaller musical, theatrical or dance performances, lectures, special audiovisual projections (multimedia, virtual reality) etc.
One space of 1,000 sq.m approx. for artistic exhibitions
A library for rare books
A professional recording studio
A restaurant with an open-air area
Secondary auxiliary spaces
Underground parking space for the users

The project

[gm2263]

@ Konstantinoupolis:

Thanks for this one Hyperion.

Also, one has to note that in the next block on the same side of Syggrou Avenue, a HUGE complex of two 6-storey buildings (with some 200m facade, that is) will be built, having a large plaza in the middle. I haven't been able to find any pics of this. This complex will belong to the National Insurance Company (Ethniki Asfalistiki), which is a subsidiary of the National Bank of Greece.

Looks like Syggrou is re-born in this site which is some 150m close to the Athens Intercontinental Hotel and the panteion University of Social sciences.

Thanks for the pics and the info.

[KONSTANTINOUPOLIS]

Kala den trehi tipota

Asheto,kapia stigmi ihes anaferi kati gia to eboriko kentro tou metohiko tamiou stratou stin panepistimiou,mipos kseris se pia fasi vriskete to ergo kai pote prokete na teliosi?
An kai tha psakso gia leptomeries(haraktiristika apo tin tote eksagelia tou ergou mou ihe kolisi to poli omorfo estiatorio ston telefteo orofo) gia afto opos kai gia to allo tis ethnikis asfalistikis.

For the non-Hellenes:
More projects to come so stay tuned

[Monkey]

Will the Olympic marathon run from the Plain of Marathon to the city - as in the ancient battle??

[gm2263]

@ Monkey, aka the Londinium Langur and the rest of the visitors :

First click here for a brief reference about Phiddipedes, the first Marathon Runner and the famous battle where all the Hellenes beat the Persians in 490BC (but I guess you know much of this stuff already).

The new Marathon run will take place in almost the original marathon course, probably on the new dual carriageway (a four lane avenue with a barrier in the midsection) which will replace the old narrow road that leads to the area of the Marathon battle. The marathon run will start from the site of the battle and after 26 miles will end in the Panathenaean Marble Stadium, right in the centre of Athens.

This map depicts the full marathon course:



According to Athens2004.com the following factoids are valid as to the history of the sport and its current situation:

History

The Marathon is run over public roads and the men’s Marathon is traditionally the final event in the programme of the Olympic Games. The history of the event goes back to 490 B.C., when the Athenians defeated the Persians at the battle of Marathon. One of the Athenians brought the news of the victory from Marathon to Athens. Running at top speed all the way, he cried “Nenikekamen” (We won), and died.

The Marathon race was first run at the 1896 Olympic Games in Athens, over the historic route. The IOC wished to honour Greece’s contribution to democracy, sport and civilisation. The winner of the first Olympic Marathon race was the legendary Greek runner, Spyros Louis. Since 1924 the official distance is 42,195 m. The women’s Marathon was included in the competition schedule in the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.

ATHENS 2004 Marathon

In the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games the marathon will be run on its historic course. It will start in Marathonas and pass through the areas of Nea Makri, Rafina, Pikermi, Spata, Loutsa, Pallini, Anthusa, Glyka Nera, Gerakas, Agia Paraskevi, Holargos, Neo Psyhico, Papagos (this is where I Live) and Athens. It will finish in Panathinaiko Stadium.

This is the starting point of the Marathon run in Marathon, Attica (rendering by Athens 2004 Organisation)



And this is the finish point, the Athens Panathenaean Marble Stadium, now under total restoration:



...and some additional info from Athens2004.gr in http://www.athens2004.com/page/?la=2&id=838




The famous Marathon race has its roots back to an ancient Greek legend, where a Greek herald named Phidippides, ran 26 miles from Marathon to Athens to announce the Greek victory against the Persians at the battle of Marathon, a small village back then, but with a great historic value to modern times. The marathon race is very popular in Greece, as a symbol of the revival of the Olympic Games, also because the first gold-medal athlete in the marathon race in 1896 was the Greek, Spyros Louis. The marathon route at the 2004 Olympic Games will be identical to the original one run by Phidippides during the ancient years and by Spyros Louis at the 1896 Olympic Games. Its starting point will be in Marathon, called the Marathon start and the finishing line at the Panathinaikon Stadium – the famous Marble Stadium known as “Kallimarmaro” where the Games were revived in 1896. The Ministry of Environment, Public Welfare and Public Works is responsible for several overlays that will take place to meet Olympic requirements.

The Panathinaikon Stadium, widely known as “Kallimarmaro” or the ancient marble stadium, is the stadium where the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 were held. Even in ancient years, the Panathinaikon (or Panathenian) Stadium was largely used to host the Panathenean Games, festival events that were held to honour the Greek goddess Athena (the Goddess of wisdom, skills, and warfare in ancient Greece and protector of the City of Athens). Historians considered it, at that time, to be “a miracle above description that it had almost exhausted the marble quarries of mountain Penteli” (Pausanias). It is situated in the heart of the Greek capital, Athens and it was first reconstructed in 1895 for the purpose of becoming the main stadium to host the 1896 Olympic Games.

The time has come to serve once again as one of the competition venues for this great sporting event: the 2004 Olympic Games. The renovations that will take place, under the responsibility of the General Secretariat of Sports and the Ministry of Culture, include upgrades and modifications on its infrastructure, mainly in the scope of restoration of the monument, configuration of the track and surrounding areas, incorporation of lighting, and establishment of anti-fire systems. The overall project of restoration will result in 45,000 seats for the marathon finish and 5,500 seats for archery. The project is due in July2003.

I hope the above cover the extent of your querie, our Londinium brother...

[Monkey]

Thanks Gregory.

I love the story of Marathon. There are two different versions. One is (as above) that Phiddipedes ran back and broke the news of the victory to Athens - famously dying on the spot. Another version has it that Phiddipedes ran to ask assistance from the Spartans (a lot more than 42.2 km away) and then back to the battlefield where he fought and then finally to Athens to break the news of victory to the populace. Modern historians think it likely that Athens requested Spartan help and that the Spartans refused until they had finished their religious festivites - in reality an excuse to await the outcome of events. It is also thought likely that when the Athenian army had routed the Persian army on the plain of Marathon that the Persians ran back to their ships in an attempt to sail up the coast and attack undefended Athens by surprise. The entire Athenian army therefore ran back to the city and when the Persian fleet rounded the headland they saw the Athenian hoplites lined up on the shore in full battle array. Seeing this they turned around and set sail for home. Truth or legend - it doesn't matter - a great story and a famous and brilliant victory!!

[Prometheus]

Athens untrammeled

Latest addition to mega-projects around Athens, a brand new tramway set to make a record of its own


Banish the image of San Francisco-style streetcars or lumbering communist-era people-carriers. The first of Athens’ trams – part of the capital’s plan to unclog the city center and take visitors to Olympic Games venues in 2004 unimpeded – was delivered late May 2003, conjuring images more in keeping with a futuristic movie.

The shiny silver trams, created by Ferrari designer Pininfarina and made by AnsaldoBreda, comprise five cars each and are reminiscent of a sleek Japanese bullet train. Thirty-five of them will whisk passengers from Syntagma Square to the south coast of seaside Glyfada suburb by next August.

Expected to carry 35,000 passengers a day, the light rail vehicles (together with the underground Metro, buses and a highway ringroad ), will relieve the commuting burden in and around the four-million-strong metropolis.

Routes and lanes
Two lines covering 24-kilometers (15 miles) will open by the time of the Olympic Games next summer, and two more phases of extension works are expected to be completed by 2010, Transport Minister Christos Verelis announced in May.

Greece is building the first phase on a 50-50 funding basis between the European Union and the state, whereas the extensions, to seven lines covering 81 kilometers, will be undertaken with the private sector. The construction and supply of the 346-million-euro first phase is by the Terna (Greek) / Impregilo (Italian) joint venture.

The tramway will run from Vassilissis Olgas Avenue and connect the marble Panathenaiko Stadium to Zappeion Gardens, near central Syntagma Square. The 48-stop line will run down Ardittou Street, through the island middle of Kallirois Avenue and onward to the Saronic coast at Paleo Falero, from where the line will branch west to Glyfada and east to Neo Falero metro station at the Peace and Friendship Stadium.

Tramcars will share the road with regular cars in some sections, says the head of the transport ministry’s managing authority, the 3rd Community Support Framework Operational Program for Railways, Urban Transport and Airports (SAAS) , Eleni Yoti. But mainly the tram, which can reach speeds of 70km/h, will have its own exclusive lane.

“It’ll go right along the seaside, and in some places go by the road between the two lanes,” Gioti said. “But in some places towards the center it’s going to be mixed traffic.” Asked if she thought the trams would hinder the vehicular flow, Gioti said trams sharing the road with cars is common practice in other cities, but “there will be a whole study of how to circulate both, so these things will be managed.”

Extending lines, initiatives
The extensions, constructed at an estimated cost not exceeding 630 million euros, would cover an additional 57.1 kilometers and link the city center and the south coast’s stadium with Piraeus station and Perama in western Attica, a long line (27.6 km) linking Aghia Paraskevi in the east via Peristeri in the west, Syntagma Square to Ano Patissia station and Votanikos in the city center, and the Athens University campus at Ilissia via Alexandras Avenue from Larissis railway station, later reaching the suburb of Zografou.

The government’s public transport initiative, which has the date with Olympics as a fixed deadline, is trying to slow, if not reverse, the trend of commuters driving cars into the city, which exacerbates the traffic flow and raises pollution.

In just ten years the number of cars in the European Union has trebled, but the sharp upward curve is expected to taper off when public transit improves. The Greek government is doing its part to meet the recommendations of the EU White Paper on transport 2001-2010 , offering citizens quality and safe urban transport and lessening pollution and gridlock.

Coming a long way
It is not the first time Athens has had trams plying urban streets. But old tramlines were paved over in the 1950s to make way for vehicles, as no one guessed at the time that the traffic problem would eventually become so acute.

The tram resurrection, however, has had its share of birthing pains when line construction began in August 2002. Residents and the mayors in some seafront districts initially opposed the plan, while a segment of the line through the city center had to be rerouted due to its proximity to antiquities, especially around central Hadrian’s Arch . Despite the delays, Greece is building the railed rapid transit in record time. A tramway of similar length was once constructed in a record 32 months. Greece will shave another ten months off, having it ready in a mere 22.

http://www.greece.gr/BUSINESS/Infras...ntrammeled.stm

[Prometheus]

http://linuxweb.internet.gr/tramsa/

ATHENS 2004 President presented in Prague the Medals for the 2004 Olympic Games

During a press conference held in Prague ATHENS 2004 President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki and HOC President and IOC Executive Committee Member Lambis Nikolaou presented the medals for the 2004 Olympic Games.

The main feature of the medals is the Greek character shown on both sides, since their basic side has been changed for the first time since the Amsterdam Olympic Games in 1928. This is of particular importance, as from now on all Olympic medals will reflect the Greek character of the Games as regards both their origin and their revival.

“Right from the start of the competition for the medals,” the President pointed out, “our aim was to modify side one of the medals, and to include Greek elements in it –elements that would highlight the close connection between Greece and the Olympic Movement. Therefore, in the official announcement of the competition we asked candidates to include in their design the “Nike of Paeonios” and the Panathinaikon Stadium.”

Goddess Nike was worshipped as the personification of victory in the stadium as well as in the battlefield. Zeus sent her to earth to crown the winners. Historical research has showed that goddess Nike was always represented as “winged”, full of movement and dynamism, descending from heaven either to sing praises for a victory, or to offer libations, or to crown a winner.

There are many examples of statues and vases, in which goddess Nike is represented in this way, the most famous being, of course, the “Nike of Samothraki” in the Louvre.

In the Museum of Olympia there is a statue of “Nike of Paeonios”, three metres in height, created in 421 BC by the well-known sculptor Paeonios. Supported by a nine-metre triangular pedestal situated at the east facade of the Temple of Zeus, she gave the impression that she was descending from heaven.

As Mrs Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki pointed out, “the connection of this particular statue with Olympia was the main reason for which we chose it as the theme for designing side one of the medals”.

On the medals awarded to Olympic athletes from 1928 until the Salt Lake Games, goddess Nike was seated, holding an ear of corn in one hand and a wreath in the other. The second element of side one was the exterior of an arena that resembled the Colosseum.

“Since goddess Nike would fly into a stadium to crown the best athlete, we concluded that it was best to represent the interior of a stadium on the medal,” said ATHENS 2004 President, and she added: “For the Athens Olympic Games medals, we selected the Panathinaikon Stadium where the Olympic Games were revived in 1896.”

Side one of the medal will also include the sport in which the athlete won it.

“What is of the utmost importance for all of us is that, from now on, side one of all Olympic Games medals will be identical with this one, according to IOC Executive Committee’s decision,” the President pointed out.

The elements on side two of the medal are three.

The first is the eternal flame that will be lit in Olympia and will travel through the five continents by way of the 2004 Torch Relay.

The flame is accompanied by the opening lines of Pindar’s Eighth Olympic Ode composed in 460 BC to honour the victory of Alkimedon of Aegina in wrestling.

The design of side two of the medals is completed with the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games emblem.

The design of the Medal was created by Elena Votsi.

The total number of medals to be produced is 1,130 gold, 1,130 silver, and 1,150 bronze.

“The medals,” as ATHENS 2004 President stated, “are one of the most important design applications, since they will be worn by the athletes, the real protagonists and heroes of the Athens Olympic Games. By designing the medals we have completed all visual applications of the Games, the so-called LOOK OF THE GAMES, which consists of the following items:

*the emblem of the Games,
*the main marks of the Games, i.e., for volunteerism, *environment, culture, and torch relay,
*the sports pictograms,
*the Games mascots,
*the secondary graphics, collectively called “the panorama”, and of course
*the torch.

Of these, the emblem, mascots, torch and medals were the result of public competition, whereas the main marks, sports pictograms and secondary graphics were created by ATHENS 2004 Communication Division and Image and Identity Division.”

On his part, Mr Nikolaou pointed out the following: “The presentation made by ATHENS 2004 to the IOC Executive Committee was outstanding. Two historic decisions were made here in Prague. First, in 1925 Pierre de Coubertin resigned as IOC President, and today it is decided that the basic and permanent side of the Olympic medals will incorporate Greek elements. From now on the Olympic medals will bear the stamp of Athens; at the same time the Organising Committee may make any further changes it considers desirable for their improvement. This is a great success for ATHENS 2004. Mrs Angelopoulos deserves warm congratulations.”

The ATHENS 2004 President thanked the HOC President and IOC Executive Committee Member for his help and support.




President Gianna Aggelopoulos Daskalaki presenting the medals



The new medal design

[Prometheus]

Some updates. All photos courtesy of Nikos Danilidis Photography:

http://www.daniilidis.gr/index.php?LANG=en


PANCRETIO STADIUM - CRETE JUN '03


PANPELOPONNISIAKO STADIUM - PATRAS JUN '03


HOME OF HEAVY EVENTS - ANO LIOSIA APR '03


HOME OF WEIGHTLIFTING - NIKEA APR '03


TAE KWON DO GYM APR '03


INSTALLATIONS AT PHALIRON ÌÁÕ '03


INSTALLATIONS AT PHALIRON JUN '03


INSTALLATIONS AT ELLINIKON APR '03


TRAMWAY APR '03


OLYMPIC SAILING CENTER - AGHIOS KOSMAS APR '03


HORSE RACING CENTER AND NEW RACE-COURSE, MARKOPOULO ÌÁÕ '03


SHOOTING CENTER, MARKOPOULO JUN '03


OLYMPIC ROWING CENTER ÌÁÕ '03


OLYMPIC VILLAGE JUN '03


OLYMPIC VILLAGE LINKING TO OLYMPIC CENTER (O.A.K.A.) APR '03

[KONSTANTINOUPOLIS]

Rion-Antirion update,pics 1,2,3,4 from daniilidis.gr pic 5 from aeter.gr

[gm2263]

Hello there...

What follows below is one of the biggest projects related to many events of the so-called Cultural Olympics that will run in parallel to the main sports events during the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics. Read on, it's interesting news... Also, click here to access this content in Euroscrapers - Projects and Construction section.


( URL: http://www.megaron.gr. It contains many pictures, including 360 degrees rotating views of the main halls and foyers of the phase 1 - read below )

The Athens Megaron is the main concert hall of the city of Athens. Although its construction was decided since approximately three decades ago, the completion of phase 1 took place not earlier than 1991. The funding came from the Ministry of Culture, after the efforts of Melina Merkouris, a former actress and minister of culture, as well as the Organisation of the Athens Megaron whose president is Christos Lambrakis, a prominent Businessman and President of the Lambrakis Group, mainly active in the mass media sector.

Below is the model of the project and its surrounding areas, plus another pic with a night view of the completed section:



Built in a simple Doric (Read: Spartan) style in its design philosophy, this project (although not looking like that in the above pic) is one of the biggest in Europe of its kind and gradually fills up a huge gap that the capital city of Greece had in terms of concert halls or spaces where culture could be developed. It is conveniently located in Vassilissis Sophias (Queen Sophia) Avenue, next to the US Embassy.

Since this is a skyscrapers forum and I am still and ALWAYS a skyscrapers fanatic, I can't help in offering you the following pic. It depicts the skyline of the Ampelokipi district with some of the Athens' tallest and the Megaron, which is the big white building in the centre of the pic. Pas mal huh?



OK, let's continue. The whole project, now nearing completion, was built in two phases. Phase 1, as said before, is already complete and includes the following halls and facilities:

Level 0

Surrounding areas, including the front garden and main entrances

Level 1

Tickets
Ground Floor Foyer
C@feNet

Level 2

Dimitris Mitropoulos Hall
Hall Foyer
Allegro Restaurant
Greek Record Club shop
Recording Studio

Level 3

Conference Centre
Video Unit

Level 4

Friends of Music Hall
Organ
Hall Foyer
Hall Bar
Dressing Rooms
Support Facilities
Reception Area

Level 7

Music Library

Some notable technical characteristics and pics:

The Friends of Music Hall

Completed in 1991, it was the one that made phase 1 of the Athens Megaron famous all over the world. One should note that this hall incorporates the best developments in acoustics. Seating capacity: 2000



This hall can be multi-function and can also be used as a congress hall. Here we see the hall "in action" during one of the countless performances there:



One of the major attractions of this hall, is the church organ, which is the biggest in Greece. I am happy to say that the Church organ is my favourite musical instrument and -yes- I am a fan of the Music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to go to the megaron to watch the astounding performances of the Christmas Oratorio or the St' Mathew's Passions Oratorio during Easter.

here's a couple of pics of the Organ, one of the biggest in Europe.





Also, there is an additional hall, namely the Dimitris Mitropoulos Hall with an additional 450 seats, moslty directed for chamber music or gala nights, poetry readings and small emsemble performances.

One should also note the rest of the facilities of phase 1 such as the restaurant, the Music library and Multimedia Centre, and the restaurant with the internet cafe. Not to forget the big foyers and other halls which are among the most lyxurious public spaces in Europe. Last but not least, there is a fully ecquipped Video unit and recording studio for reference recordings of selected performances.

Phase 2 of the construction is now under completion. It includes the following:

The Alexandra Triantis Hall. This is an underground hall with a capacity of an additional 200 seats and of the same quality and size with the Friends of Music Hall. It was designed for stage plays and opera performances, but it can be used for multiple purposes due to the versatility of its design. Here are two pics of this hall:





The Atrium. This is the new external foyer in the back side of the building. It allowas for many types of receptions and other outdoor events.



The Backyard. This is the back side of the project above the A. Triantis Hall. Note that in the left picture there is a five storey residential that was demolished, thus allowing for the creation of a unified park as it appears in the right pic.



Last but not least, a new underground parking lot is under completion (capacity: 750). Also, an underground walkway connecting the megaron with the subway station "Megaro Moussikis" (some 100m long) is also under completion.

Now let's look at some figures:

Volume of Phase 1: 200.000 m3
Volume of phase 2: 700.000 m3

Total Volume: 900.000m3


Total area of spaces of phases 1 and 2: 143.000m3

Deepest point of building from ground surface: 48m
(had it been overground, I would have been adding a new skyscraper in the Athens page of Skyscrapers.com )

Overall, the size and grandeur of the project is breathtaking, even for the choleric and snobbish me. I have to admit that this project adds a lot to the cultural aspects of the Athens Olympics and beyond. I hope that it will be used for the best, as the case was until now.

Unfortunately I will not be able to listen to Beethoven's ninth symphony with the Berlin Philarmonic Orchestra with the late Herbert Von Karajan as the conductor. However, I am sure that my favourite and most beloved Maestro would have been pleased to perform in such a place...

Athens preparations :

PANPELOPONNISIAKO STADIUM - PATRAS


PANCRETIO STADIUM - CRETE


POLICE TRAINING CENTER AT AMYGDALEZA


HOME OF HEAVY EVENTS - ANO LIOSIA


HOME OF WEIGHTLIFTING - NIKEA


WORKS AT PIRAEUS PORT


BEACH - VOLLEY GYM


TAE KWON DO GYM


INSTALLATIONS AT PHALIRON


INSTALLATIONS AT PHALIRON


TRAMWAY


All others pictures are here ==> http://www.daniilidis.gr/index.php?LANG=en

EOA, OFFICE BUILDING (finished) lovely building !

[KONSTANTINOUPOLIS]

Panpeloponnisiakon Stadion-Update













All pics from Stadia.gr

[gm2263]

Hey Hey Hey!!! Allow me to present you with an Athens Update later today. Athens is progressing rapidly with the only problem being that our life is a bit of a mess here because literally ALL major roads are dug for one reason or another. Although Athens was notorious for its traffic jams for instance, I now see that with some 100km of new highways and some 40-50 (!) new junctions including 2 or three of them being GIGANTIC plus some 60 new km of metro/suburban rail, the situation will dramatically change.

But like I said, I'm in a hurry right now. Wait until my report later today.

@ Mekky: Mille merci pour les photos et commentaire. The building is the headquarters of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and it was completed some time in the mid-90's, in Maroussi, the so-called "Olympic suburb" of Athens. It is also Athens' new Business suburb. Click
here to see my thread about what is going on in terms of non-Olympics related construction there.

Talk to u all lated gents and ladies. I have to do some shopping this morning and I'll be back to give you some food for thought.

[Cobi]

Wow! Never seen that building before! It's nice!
I guess everything will be on time for the XXVIIIth Olympiad but, WHY ISN'T THERE AN ONLINE OLYMPIC STORE YET? I want to buy so many things!

[Cobi]

Now seriously...I want to buy tha official Athens 2004 logo poster and I'm coming to the conclusion that if I don't go to the Olympic store at Athens airport, I won't be able to buy it.
I don't like to compare Sydney and Athens, but by this time the Organizing Committee for the 2000 Games even had a magazine which showed more than 500 Olympic related products, that was sent to the people every 2 or 3 months.
I guess that maybe when the new year (2004) start, the ATHOC will open the online store.

[gm2263]

I hereby present you with some update news on the construction with regards to Athens Olympics

Also not to forget: @ Cobi

I searched throughly for an online shop of Athens Olympics memorabilia store. Looks like it ain't ready yet (they operate a full service on online ticket sales though). However, watch the Athens 2004 page in http://www.athens2004.gr since any related announcement will appear in their homepage for sure.

From Online edition of English Language Athens News, July 18, 2003, in, http://www.athensnews.gr/athweb/nath...=01&m=A03&aa=1


Calatrava's canopies get new lease of life


The project may be three months behind schedule but the arrival of the first parts for the monumental Olympic Stadium and velodrome roofs raises hopes of its completion before the Athens 2004 Games



BY JOHN HADOULIS

Parts of Santiago Calatrava's steel-and-glass canopy for the Olympic Stadium began to arrive on July 14, three months behind schedule

MONTHS of litigation, procrastination and project simulation have finally brought the Athens 2004 Olympics' most eagerly-expected landmark to the starting line.

The ambitious remodelling of Athens' 240-hectare Olympic complex (OAKA) by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava received a lease of life on July 14, when parts of two steel-and-glass canopies designed to cover the Olympic Stadium and velodrome began to arrive from Italy after a three-month delay.

The metallic parts were unloaded at the port of Lavrio and dispatched to Maroussi, where plans to remodel the 20-year-old OAKA are slowly taking shape. Work on a Calatrava-designed park to replace the unruly mess of garbage and graffiti that currently covers the area began earlier this year, after months were lost in litigation between rival companies bidding for the project contract.

But the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is still worried that the OAKA worksite could remain open until just before the August 2004 Games.

Denis Oswald, the IOC's chief overseer for Athens, said earlier this month that delivery of the pieces was a "major worry" and expressed fears of a clash with the simultaneous remodelling of the stadium grounds.

In fact, the Greeks were told not to proceed with the canopy plans unless they could guarantee their completion before the Games.



Greek organisers confident


Greek organisers now say that the canopies' assembly will be simpler than originally expected, because the Italian manufacturers will deliver parts that could be screwed in instead of welded.

"We can do it," says Yiannis Pragiatis, head of Olympic construction at the public works ministry. "And it's a technocrat saying this, not some politician."

An IOC inspection team was in Athens this week to monitor venue construction progress. Pragiatis told them the stadium canopies would be installed according to (the modified) schedule, and would not impede test events set at the velodrome for February, and at the Olympic Stadium for June 2004.

"I think they were convinced, and rather impressed," he says.

Organisers say the arches will be assembled beside the stadiums, and will subsequently be lifted and fitted on "like shells". But critics fear that the simultaneous operation of several worksites at OAKA, coupled with the relative inexperience of Greek engineers with metallic structures of this size, could bring the project to its knees.

"Everything will be done at the last minute," says New Democracy MP Marios Salmas. "Even the competent government officials admit that the feat of dragging and lifting these structures has never been done before in Greece."

"We would be fools to say we can manage this thing by ourselves," says Pragiatis. "That's why we have foreign experts to help."

The government says that the arcs will cost 115 million euros, while the park infrastructure comes to 70 million euros. The project was initially budgeted at 83 million euros.




My View: The canopies will be ready and placed even in July 2004 if necessary. There's no turning back now and everybody knows it. If the first parts had not come to Athens yet, I would say that we would have been in a dangerous stage. However, I'm confident that they will do it, it's a matter of prestige.


Now this is an interesting one since it's only 1.2km distance from my house:

Footbridge starts walking


Another Calatrava project, a 4 million euro bridge stretching over Mesogeion Ave, came close to being scrapped last year. Its construction is now set to start in September.





Elsewhere in town, construction is poised to begin on another of Calatrava's Athens projects - a 94-metre footbridge stretching over Mesogeion Avenue. The initial plans of project supervisors Attiko Metro, the company which built Athens' new subway, specified that the bridge should have been completed early this year. But construction plans went into hibernation for over 12 months when Attiko Metro underwent a management change in 2002.

"The new management needed to be briefed on the project," says architect Polykarpos Koukourakis, an Attiko Metro consultant. "It took some time, but now it's ready to go. We re-examined the costs, and the deal with the contractor will be signed next week."

Former Attiko Metro chairman Leonidas Kikiras told the Athens News that the new top brass found the bridge "rather hard to swallow".

"The new management had to re-evaluate the project to be convinced of its necessity," says Kikiras, who now supervises the Olympic stadium project on behalf of Santiago Calatrava SA. One of the changes, he notes, is that the bridge's glass floor was replaced with wood to cut cost. It has a budget of 4.15 million euros.

The bridge's construction is now expected to begin in September and be completed in June 2004.

Koukourakis further explained the delay by saying that Attiko Metro was preoccupied with the subway's expansion to the western, eastern and northern parts of the city.

"These issues are completely unrelated," says Kikiras. "During my tenure, Attiko Metro managed to both plan the bridge and assign the subway extensions."

My view: They have to do it. This construction looks like the tallest new structure in the city for ages. Judging from the model, I would say it's anywhere between 70 to 90m tall. Calatrava is said to have been inspired from the shape of the ancient Greek harp, the well known musical instrument, that is. I personally saw it as a mast from an ancient boat but Calatrava's explanation is probably more correct (after all it's his design). It will be built over a junction built in the early 80's and in an area with many big buildings in proximity, like the 10-storey complexes of the military hospirals, but most importantly, the 18-storey Ministry of Public Order. It will be rather impressive but I still have doubts as to whether they are really up to it. I hope it gets built though.