Oly: Transport system causing Olympic headaches

AAP General News (Australia)
08-15-2004
Oly: Transport system causing Olympic headaches

ATHENS, Aug 15 AAP - Frustration over Athens' transport system grew among media and
Olympic officials today after some bus drivers overslept and others became lost on new
roads.

Official, free buses ground to a halt a few hours after the opening ceremony, forcing
stranded media to use taxis to get back to their accommodation.

Journalists also missed the beginning of the shooting competition today as buses to
the venue ran two hours late.

One official told reporters that many of the bus drivers had worked until 4am after
last night's opening ceremony and simply overslept.

"We had to kick them out of their beds," he said.

Athens organisers said they were aware of the problems and were working to iron them out.

"We will do everything we can to solve the problems," said Athens organising committee
spokesman Michalis Zacharatos.

"We are moving tens of thousands of people."

Other media reported teething problems in the days before the Games began, with transport
delays and a lack of hot water in newly-completed media villages.

At the swimming venue, where organisers opted for no roof, fans at the heats sat in
the hot sun today as temperatures climbed to the mid-30s.

Computer problems also struck the Olympic News Service (ONS).

The service provides Olympic news and results on computer terminals at the press centres
and sporting venues.

But it stalled this morning and results were slow to appear on the system.

AAP sal/sp

KEYWORD: OLY PROBLEMS

2004 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.