Athens organizers meet IOC deadline
ATHENS, Greece -- To the great relief of organizers, a section of roof for the main Olympic stadium began moving into place Monday in a crucial step toward completing the centerpiece of the Athens Games.
In meeting a deadline set by IOC inspectors, Athens officials clearly are intent on avoiding the humiliating spectacle of an unfinished roof when the world's athletes assemble in three months.
One of the two 231-foot-high half-domes crept along tracks pulled by hydraulic jacks, and officials said it could reach its anchor location by Tuesday.
Deputy Culture Minister Fani Palli-Petralia broke a bottle of wine on the structure before it started inching toward its permanent spot 234 feet away.
It was not known when movement would begin on the other half of the dome, which needs to travel 198 feet. The minister said the roof would be in place by the end of May.
"Today we won the first bet," Palli-Petralia said. "The big bet is left: To prove we can do unique and safe Olympic Games."
Earlier, International Olympic Committee inspectors visited the site to open their last major review of Athens' troubled preparations. The IOC has insisted the roof installation begin while the team was in Athens.
Failure to start the procedure -- described as "gliding" the 17,000-ton arches along tracks -- could have forced the IOC to consider suspending the project, one of the top worries amid the chronic venue and transportation delays for the Aug. 13-29 games.
But there was still a long way to go. Any breakdowns or other problems could disrupt plans to have the $251 million stadium upgrade ready by the end of June to meet IOC timetables.
Organizers also face the challenge of transforming the dusty and debris-strewn construction zone around the stadium into landscaped parkland.
"We are battling with time," Palli-Petralia said.
The team of IOC officials is headed by Denis Oswald, the chief IOC overseer for Athens, and Gilbert Felli, the executive director of the Olympics. The three-day visit is the last full inspection tour, but Oswald plans to return frequently to assess progress.
The roof's Spanish architect, Santiago Calatrava, envisions the structure as the signature image of the Athens Games and has described it as his "Olympic dream."
But the roof has been mired in delays and has become a symbol of the array of problems facing Athens. The roof -- a skeleton of metal covered by glasslike plastic -- is being built in two sections on either side of the 75,000-seat stadium.
The IOC has always said the roof isn't necessary and could ask Greek officials to put the project on hold until after the games if it interferes with stadium work and pre-Olympic test events.
The IOC also will want updates on all aspects of the preparations. Most of the major venues have not been delivered to organizers for technical enhancements for TV coverage and scoring.
Delayed transportation links also will be examined. The tram, which is to connect the city center with seaside venues, and a suburban rail from the airport are both far from completion.
Officials also will assess the triple bombing of a suburban police station in Athens last week on the 100-day mark before the games. There has been no claim of responsibility for the attack, which caused damage but no injuries.
In Washington, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said Monday there has been a "tremendous amount of progress" in recent talks about Olympic security.
Greek Minister of Public Order George Voulgarakis visited last week with top U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials, giving fresh assurances on security measures.
The security budget has surpassed $1 billion, more than three times the amount spent on the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press
