Eight months before the start
And yet, there is reason to worry about whether the Greeks will manage to deliver all Olympic venues on time. IOC (International Olympic Committee) inspection commissions, which have been making frequent trips to Athens lately, say preparations are going quite successfully, but at the same time express concern about deadlines. Time is running short, and this is one of the main factors.
Recently visiting Greece, IOC Vice President Dennis Oswald noted that almost all venues have tight deadlines. Although the Greek authorities assure that construction and testing of all Olympic venues will be completed on time. This also applies to particularly concerning projects such as building the roof over the main Olympic arena and constructing a light rail line. The tram is to connect Athens with coastal villages. But by the opening day of the Olympic Games, only 30 of the planned 48 stops will be ready.
But this route had huge hopes placed on it, planning to solve some of the transport problems from which Athens will be groaning all 18 days of the Games. Traffic jams are a real headache for the Greek capital. To ease the roads, an unprecedented decision was once made: on even days, only cars whose license plate ends in an even digit can enter the city center; on odd days, those ending in an odd digit. Now try to imagine what the narrow streets of Athens will become in August, when hotel owners are already rubbing their hands in anticipation of fleecing tourists. There are promises that a traffic controller will be stationed at every intersection. But will he cope with the workload?
And now it is worth asking whether one can believe the promises of the Athenians. According to eyewitnesses who have visited the site where the Olympic Games will be held starting August 13, 2004, on more than one occasion, no particular changes in the construction process are noticeable. The press conferences with the participation of organizing committee president Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, which have become traditional, boil down to yet another examination of models and drawings of Olympic complexes. Because the Greeks have not yet been able to boast of ready-made stadiums and sports complexes. Need it be said that many mass media have long been raising the alarm, demanding the process be accelerated.
But the process is going on. Proof that work is moving can be, for example, such not-so-pleasant news from the capital of the upcoming Summer Olympic Games as reports that another worker died at the construction site of a sports facility, or that builders went on strike.
However, there is other evidence. The sports palace in Nikaia, where weightlifters will compete, was recently handed over turnkey. On this occasion, Greek Minister of Culture Evangelos Venizelos promised that from now on one facility would be delivered every week (!). It seems the minister has gotten carried away.
Meanwhile, apparently not relying on the carefree Greeks, other powers decided to make their contribution to preparations for the Olympic Games. The United States, Great Britain, Germany, France, Australia, Spain and Israel offered their assistance in preparing anti-terrorist groups. The Israelis, who know terrorists firsthand, promised to take over the protection of Greek ports and the ships in them, guaranteeing the coordinated work of specially trained rescuers. However, one could talk about preparations for the Olympic Games for a long time. We will definitely return to this topic. For now, let us focus on another aspect of the upcoming Games.
"Music is playing on the ship..."
I don't know about you, but I really want to get to Athens in August 2004. Not only because the Greek capital impressed me during my previous visit. It would be simply great to immerse myself in the atmosphere of a grand sports festival that will bring together representatives from all over the world. But, as the famous toast from the well-known film goes, "let us drink to our wishes coinciding with our capabilities"...
Getting to the Olympic Games in Athens is both simple and not so simple. Simple because Ukraine has a travel agency, MIBS Travel, which is the exclusive agent of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine for all aspects of organizing trips of Ukrainian citizens (both the official delegation and honorary guests, as well as tourists and fans) to Athens for the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad. Not so simple because the number of tours to the Greek capital is limited, and the prices are impressive, although this is quite natural for such a large-scale event.
Having contacted MIBS Travel for consultation, we learned that the lion's share of the Ukrainian delegation will be accommodated on the five-star liner "Rotterdam", which will drop anchor in the port of Piraeus. In a similar way, by the way, Russians will be housed (on the liner "Oosterdam", accommodating 1,848 passengers) and representatives of some other countries. In total, 11 ships during the Olympic Games can take on board about 13,000 people.
"Rotterdam" is a luxurious liner 240 meters long, which can accommodate about 1,400 passengers with varying degrees of comfort and amenities. Guests have at their disposal 12 elevators, two swimming pools, two jacuzzis, a beauty salon, boutiques, a casino, a fitness center, a library, an internet center with various games, including online poker, a restaurant, a massage room, a cinema, and a sauna. The ship, which can be called a true miracle of modern shipbuilding made with the latest technologies, displays works of art worth $2 million. It remains only to add that the "Rotterdam" sails under a joint Dutch-American flag.
MIBS Travel offers those wishing to get on the Rotterdam four types of service packages - “platinum”, “gold”, “silver” and “bronze”. The most expensive, naturally, is “platinum” (the cost of accommodation for one person throughout the Games (from August 12 to 30) - 25,000 euros). The cheapest is “bronze”, which will cost its owner 9,000 euros for the same 18 nights.
However, you can avoid spending a lot by choosing a nine-day or six-day service package. Depending on which competitions and events will take place at one time or another, prices vary. So, in the “platinum” package, six nights on the Rotterdam starting August 12 will cost 9,000 euros, six nights starting August 18 will cost 8,000 euros, and the final six-day period is estimated at 10,000 euros. The first nine nights cost 12,500 euros, the last nine - 13,500.
Approximately in the same proportion, prices change in the other packages. The cheapest option is to get to the Olympic Games in the very middle of them (August 18-24) and live on the Rotterdam under the “bronze” service package - 3,200 euros. However, you can also settle in with discounts. But for this you need to join a pair as a third person. After all, the cost of packages is indicated per person when staying in a double room. For a third person in the room (adult) - 75% of the package cost, for persons under 18 years old - 50%.
Now a few words about how the packages differ from each other. The most significant difference is in the quality of the cabins. After all, all four packages provide the same set of services: daily breakfast (buffet), daily lunch and dinner (classic or buffet), welcome cocktail, air ticket, visa, insurance and delivery to the place of residence (only the class of transport differs). In addition, a “platinum”, “gold”, “silver” or “bronze” set of souvenirs, a set of reference materials, transfer to competitions, and an excursion to Athens with a visit to the famous Acropolis are guaranteed.
So, the cabins. Holders of “platinum” packages can be envied. More precisely, their living conditions during the Olympic Games. They will be accommodated on the navigation deck in so-called super-suites with a veranda with a total area of 52 sq. m. The rooms include two beds that can be converted into a double bed, a spacious living area, a dressing room, a separate veranda, a double sofa bed, a bathroom with jacuzzi and shower, an additional shower cabin, a DVD player and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Those who decided to purchase the “gold” package (16,000 euros for the entire Games) will be accommodated on the veranda deck in luxury cabins with a veranda. The total area is 26 sq. m. There are floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a separate veranda, where you can organize relaxation or dinner, a double bed, a jacuzzi, a living room, coffee tables, video, mini-bar and refrigerator.
The “silver” package guarantees accommodation on the lower promenade deck in superior cabins, which differ from each other in some nuances. For example, in some, the view of the sea is blocked by deck equipment, in others it is partially open, and in others, lovers of admiring landscapes will not experience any problems. There are no verandas here, the total area is 18 sq. m.
And finally, about the “bronze” packages. Their holders will be accommodated in interior cabins, which are classified as superior cabins or standard cabins. In other words - the minimum category with maximum comfort. The total area is 17 sq. m, and the absence of windows is compensated by their imitation. In this category of rooms (as, indeed, in all others), there is a TV, telephone and a multi-channel music receiver.
It remains only to add that MIBS Travel also provides the opportunity to stay on the shore in fairly comfortable hotels. The cost of accommodation per person per week is up to 3,500 euros. As they said in the office of the travel company, the number of available vouchers is decreasing every day. And you say there are still eight months left...