Athens’ Preparations Not Running Like Clockwork

ATHENS — One sign that preparations for the 2004 Summer Olympics aren’t going well: A countdown clock outside Athens’ Olympic sports complex to remind Greeks of the time left for the games has been broken for weeks.

The Greek government acknowledged Tuesday new delays in Athens’ preparations for the Games, saying construction had not begun on key venues.

Premier Costas Simitis and key ministers in charge of Olympic works met with organizers for the first time since the government went on vacation more than a month ago.

Government spokesman Tilemahos Hitiris tried to calm fears by saying “the timeline is being adhered to exactly.”

But he confirmed delays in building the Olympic Village, problems with the media villages and delays in the start of construction on weightlifting, wrestling and gymnastics venues.

According to the original time frame, construction was to have begun on all those sports venues by July 1.

Olympic officials conceded privately that not much has been done since an International Olympic Committee inspection team visited in May.

Most of the problems are caused by a political and economic crisis that has nearly paralyzed the Socialist government since July.

It is unlikely much will be done until mid-October, when the Socialists hold an emergency convention to force Simitis to seek reelection as leader of his divided party.

Government officials are worried following a decision by IOC overseer Dennis Oswald to hold an inspection visit of the delayed venues Sept. 25.

An inspection was originally scheduled for November..

In one positive development for organizers, the nation’s highest administrative court approved a decree giving more powers to a committee in charge of nearly all Olympic building projects.