Olympics Prove Challenging for Greece, in Sydney and in Athens

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Olympics Prove Challenging for Greece, in Sydney and Athens

DATELINE: 09/19/2000

Here's a quick look at Greek Olympic news.

- Ioanna Hatziioannou of Greece took a Bronze in the Women's Weightlifting competition.

- Greece has sent its largest Olympic contigent ever, 150 athletes participating in numerous events. Gold may be on the horizon in at least two events, sailing (where a second Gold may go to Nikos Kaklamanakis) and the women's 200 meter race, where Katerina Thanou may prevail.

- Stamatis Lenis, the Greek triple jump athlete, was stopped at Sydney for being in possession of a natural substance which had been through the formal Olympic approval paperwork process. His participation was in limbo but was finally approved by the Australian officials when they realized that no violation had occured. Unfortunately, this only came after the widely-publicized announcement that he had been detained due to a "prohibited substance".

- Nikos Kalamanakis was informed that all three of his vessels failed to meet new Olympic standards, and will be competing on a borrowed equipment loaned by a friend.

- Greek Olympic Organizing Committee president Yianna Angelopoulou-Daskalaki, the woman who spearheaded Greece's successful bid for the 2004 Games after a 2000 petition was turned down, threatened to quit in an effort to jumpstart Game preparations. Her strategy has seemed to work, as even IOC president Samaranch has indicated that the Greek preparations appear to be getting on track for the 2004 Games, though he "remains concerned". Other IOC members claim to be "completely satisfied".

- Britain has announced that the city of Manchester is standing by ready to take over the 2004 Olympics if Greece does not succeed in making the necessary preparations in time. Some say this is another example of the Brits being ever eager to cast doubt on Greek competency as it helps validate the continued "captivity" of the Parthenon/Elgin marbles in the British Museum.

Sources:
AP
NPR
Phantis/Macedonian Press Agency
Athens News

Recommended Sites:

Hatziioannou: The Medal Was A Gift From God
With medal hopes seemingly dashed by injury, Ioanna Hatziioannou still pulls her weight. Phantis/MPA.

Daily Greek Olympic Schedule
In English - list of Greek athletes and the events they will be participating in, from Phantis/Macedonian Press Agency.