( 2004 olympic Games )
In 1997 the International Olympic Committee chose Athens to host the 2004 Summer Olympic Games.
Athenians welcomed the Olympics as an opportunity to modernize their city’s transportation systems and infrastructure, as well as a way to raise the international profile of Athens and to highlight its cultural riches.
Funding assistance for many of the projects came from the Greek government, the European Union (EU), and private sources.
Completing the Olympic facilities on schedule, in addition to the planned transportation projects and renovations to museums and monuments, proved challenging, however.
Bureaucratic and political conflicts delayed some of the work.
Serious security concerns about the threat of terrorism arose after the September 11 attacks on the United States in 2001. Such concerns were heightened following terrorist attacks in Madrid, Spain, on March 11, 2004, and by subsequent bombing incidents in Athens itself.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) agreed to help with security for the games, and a special unit of the Greek armed forces trained to deal with terrorist threats.
In an unusual step, the International Olympic Committee took out insurance in the event the Olympics were canceled in part or in full because of terrorism or other catastrophes.
Despite the many difficulties Athens faced in preparing for the event, the 28th Summer Olympic Games took place on time and as planned in August 2004, with few problems.
Olympic officials, athletes, and fans hailed the Games as a major success. Although spectator numbers at some events were much lower than hoped for, television viewership of the Olympics was high around the world.
The final cost of staging the Olympics with such massive security, however, was estimated at more than $7 billion, most of which was borne by the Greek government and not met by revenues generated by the Games themselves.
Government officials hoped that increased tourism and future international sporting events, coupled with improved trade and economic growth for Athens and Greece alike, would eventually pay off the debt.
In September 2004 Athens hosted the Summer Paralympic Games, which drew athletes with disabilities from 140 countries.
In another modernizing effort, Athens installed new facilities around the city to help accommodate people with disabilities, including an elevator up the side of the Acropolis.
Athenians welcomed the Olympics as an opportunity to modernize their city’s transportation systems and infrastructure, as well as a way to raise the international profile of Athens and to highlight its cultural riches.
Funding assistance for many of the projects came from the Greek government, the European Union (EU), and private sources.
Completing the Olympic facilities on schedule, in addition to the planned transportation projects and renovations to museums and monuments, proved challenging, however.
Bureaucratic and political conflicts delayed some of the work.
Serious security concerns about the threat of terrorism arose after the September 11 attacks on the United States in 2001. Such concerns were heightened following terrorist attacks in Madrid, Spain, on March 11, 2004, and by subsequent bombing incidents in Athens itself.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) agreed to help with security for the games, and a special unit of the Greek armed forces trained to deal with terrorist threats.
In an unusual step, the International Olympic Committee took out insurance in the event the Olympics were canceled in part or in full because of terrorism or other catastrophes.
Despite the many difficulties Athens faced in preparing for the event, the 28th Summer Olympic Games took place on time and as planned in August 2004, with few problems.
Olympic officials, athletes, and fans hailed the Games as a major success. Although spectator numbers at some events were much lower than hoped for, television viewership of the Olympics was high around the world.
The final cost of staging the Olympics with such massive security, however, was estimated at more than $7 billion, most of which was borne by the Greek government and not met by revenues generated by the Games themselves.
Government officials hoped that increased tourism and future international sporting events, coupled with improved trade and economic growth for Athens and Greece alike, would eventually pay off the debt.
In September 2004 Athens hosted the Summer Paralympic Games, which drew athletes with disabilities from 140 countries.
In another modernizing effort, Athens installed new facilities around the city to help accommodate people with disabilities, including an elevator up the side of the Acropolis.
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