By: Laura Walden
Q. How does it feel to be back at the helm of the Athens Olympics?
A) It is an honor for me to work on behalf of Greece as we prepare a home coming for the Olympic games. We are working with focus and discipline to have an Olympics that is second to none: good for the athletes and technically superior, hosted before the sights and symbols of our unique Olympic heritage. We understand the challenges before us, and we intend to meet them.
Q) You are the first woman to hold the role as President of an Organizing Committee. Are you planning special efforts to give women key positions in the organizing committee?
A) Men versus women is not the issue. Our only requirements are a willingness to engage in hard work, be loyal to Olympic ideals, and take pride in what Greece can offer to the Olympic movement. It’s like the competition itself. In every Olympic games, there are men and women athletes whose achievements capture the imagination of the world.
In our effort to plan and host the games, there will be men and women in responsible positions behind the scenes. Unlike the athletes, the world will not get to know their names, but they will be heroes and heroines in our organizing efforts nonetheless.
Q) The Greek Games convey a powerful message of bringing the Games back to their real birthplace. How will this special culture theme be used throughout the Athens Games?
A) We see two themes working together – a technically superior competition that engages the world’s athletes in modern facilities located where Olympism was born. The world will see our ancient Olympic heritage working hand-in-hand with a commitment to cutting edge technology and the highest standards. Finally, let me say: watch the closing ceremonies here in Sydney; I think you will see a powerful example of what I have just described.
Q) What have you learned about Games organizing by visiting Sydney?
A) First, let me say that I congratulate Sydney for a job well done. Everyone has seen how well they have done. But something else is happening behind the scenes.
The IOC has a comprehensive transfer of knowledge program that came into play before these Games began. In Sydney, the organizers and the IOC have helped our team of 130 observers gather information at every venue and on every function – for example, technology, sports, media, transportation and security.
We have two immediate plans – first, return to Athens and combine this information into one database; second, to meet in November with the IOC and the Sydney organizers to do a formal debrief. The lasting lessons will be learned as we examine all of this information and apply their meaning to the planning of the Greek Games. This is critical part of the process, and we are deeply involved in it right now.
Q. What are you doing to focus in on eliminating transportation problems?
A) We know that good transportation powerfully affects the Olympic experience for athletes, spectators and Members of the Olympic family. Our preparations take this issue very seriously.
Years before the IOC awarded the games to Greece, our country was engaged in several important infrastructure projects: our new Metro is already in operation, a new Airport that is planned to open in 2001, and a ring-road around the city of Athens that will be open before the Games. These projects will have a substantial and positive impact on our Games.
Q) The Olympic games are not shown live in America, and that has caused NBC some problems. Will you try and lobby them to show the Athens Games live on TV?
A) We want everyone to come to Athens and see the Games for themselves! Some people will, of course, stay home and watch the Games on television. We share with the broadcasters an interest in maximizing viewers; people around the world should share in the Olympic experience and in the return of the Games to their birthplace. We will work with the broadcasters cooperatively to achieve this goal.
Q) What special technological innovations are you planning for the Games?
A) The speed of technological change is incredible, and no one can fully predict how things will change. In Greece, we believe that if you are seeing events in person, watching them on television, viewing pictures in newspapers or on the Internet, everything should be effortless and technically superior.
Q) Greece recently signed a security agreement with the US. Do you plan on signing additional agreements with other governments?
A) The recent agreement is only an example of what we are doing now and intend to do in the future, both with other countries and international organizations.
Q) Sydney developed a solar generated Olympic Village. What initiatives are planned by Athens to keep the Games environmentally friendly?
A) Greece is a beautiful country. We protect our antiquities; we act to protect our waters and beaches, because this is our home. We also recognize that hosting an Olympic Games gives us an opportunity to show the world with pride what we have in Greece, and to act further to protect the environment. Our Olympic Village will be built with these environmental values in mind, and we will work with the environmental community to do what needs to be done.
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