A delegation of the American television network NBC is in Athens for a three-day business visit. The NBC holds the rights of the Olympic Games television broadcasting for North America and renders through the IOC to ATHOC an amount reaching GDr 280 bn.

The delegation, Mr David Neal (Coordinating Producer-NBC Olympics), Mr Peter Diamond (Senior Vice President-Olympic Programming), Mr Alex Gilady (Senior Vice President-Global Operations, IOC member), Mr Keith Turner (President, Sales and Marketing) and Mrs Sue Stogel (Consultant, Games Services), was headed by Mr Randy Falco (President, N.B.C. Television Networks).

In the morning, they visited the Athens Olympic Sports Complex (AOSC) and the Panathinaiko Stadium, accompanied by ATHOC executives. At noon, they had a three-hour constructive meeting with the ATHOC Steering Committee and other top executives.

ATHOC President Mrs Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki welcomed the NBC delegation, stressing that she looks forward to a four-year close and productive cooperation for the best promotion and broadcasting of the Olympic Games through NBC and wished every success to the Sydney Olympic Games broadcasters. NBC President Mr Randy Falco said that AOSC venues are modern and functional. He referred to the history of the Panathinaiko Stadium, a history linking the past with the present and the future of the Olympic Games, and noted that it is necessary to stage some of the 2004 Olympic Games-related events in it.

On behalf of the company, Mrs Mantzaris presented the image and identity of the Organising Committee. Mr Assimakopoulos analysed the sports schedule. Mr Pappas described the actions performed in the field of Accommodation. Mr Protopsaltis developed the actions related to the field of Transport and Mr Bolos developed marketing issues. Finally, Mr Benekos briefed the members of the NBC delegation on the progress of the tender for the broadcasting of the 2004 Games, on the location of the International Broadcasting Centre and on the services it will provide to the international television networks. After the end of the presentations, ATHOC representatives answered to the questions of the NBC delegation. Mr Falco expressed his satisfaction with the results of the meeting.

Tomorrow, the NBC President and his colleagues will visit the Peace and Friendship Stadium, Piraeus Harbour, the Aghios Cosmas facilities, the Athens Horse Racetrack and Helliniko area.

Source: ATHOC