Athens faces questions two years before Olympics

ATHENS, Greece -- A recent political cartoon showed images of lanky Olympic runners on an ancient urn. Trailing behind -- sweating and struggling to keep up -- was the stubby figure of Greek Premier Costas Simitis.

Two years before the Olympics return to their birthplace, planners for the Athens Games have no time to waste.

"We have to be demanding," said Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, head of the 2004 organizing committee.

Earlier, the biggest worry was whether Athens could build the venues in time for the games. Pressure from the International Olympic Committee and the government moved plans into high gear, easing concerns.

But new questions are swirling around a single theme: Is Athens too overcrowded and too overwhelmed to handle the games smoothly?

Transportation plans remain sketchy. The IOC and the rest of the huge Olympic entourage have swallowed up virtually all of Athens' best hotel space. Spectators could be left far from Athens or in rented apartments around a city with notorious traffic and spotty mass transit.

A recent poll suggested nearly three-quarters of Athenians were not inclined to rent their homes for the Olympics. Meanwhile, 67.6 percent said they expected to stay in the capital during the games -- Aug. 13-29 -- rather than flee the city during the traditional August holiday period and ease traffic.

Placing spectators on Greek islands -- as suggested by organizers -- poses complications that cannot be remedied. August brings high winds to the Aegean Sea, and ferries are often canceled.

IOC inspectors realize the potential pitfalls and have asked for revised plans from organizers.

"It will be a race against the clock until the end," said the IOC's Denis Oswald. "I don't think we will be able to relax at any time and just be confident that it will happen and go well. It will be a struggle."

That's nothing new for Athens organizers.

Since being awarded the games in 1997, organizers have faced one storm after another -- top management shake-ups, bickering and construction delays that drew the public wrath of the normally diplomatic IOC.

A best barometer of the preparations is believed to be Jacques Rogge, the chief Athens supervisor until becoming IOC president last year. For the moment, he seems satisfied.

"Things are moving well," Rogge said. "There is no time to lose. There are difficulties like in all organizing committees. It's never easy, but overall we are satisfied."