Summer Olympics 2000 IOC vows to work with Greek government

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Friday, October 13
IOC vows to work with Greek government
Associated Press

ATHENS, Greece -- For all the trouble facing organizers of the 2004 Olympics, the IOC wants to be clear on one point: The games are staying right where they are.

"Allow me to clear up that the IOC is not thinking of revoking Greece's organization of the games," said Jacques Rogge, the IOC executive in charge of the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Rogge said Friday that Athens has "all the qualifications to organize the best ever games," and he reassured the government of the IOC's support.

"We will be on the side of the government to help as much as possible. ... We are colleagues. You must not see the IOC as something separate," Rogge told the Athens' Planet radio station.

Reports that Athens organizing committee leader Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki and the IOC were dissatisfied with the government have created an air of chaos around Greece's preparations.

Premier Costas Simitis has been meeting with senior officials in an effort to resolve problems and end rumors that members of the Athens organizing were preparing to resign out of frustration with government bureaucracy.

Rogge fueled a national debate over Athens' ability to organize the games when earlier this week he called for a "truce" between the government and 2004 organizers.

"It will be a difficult organization because to organize the Olympic Games is difficult," Rogge said.

About 30 percent of the facilities still need to be built, and Rogge stressed that getting the construction done is a priority.

Greece has said the projects will be ready by May 2004, but the IOC wants them ready by the end of 2003.

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