No rest despite progress, Simitis tells 2004 organisers
( 2001-07-05 10:17 ) (7 )

Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis urged Athens 2004 Olympics organisers (ATHOC) on Wednesday to keep working hard to make the Games a success.

"It is obvious that despite the progress made, we will not rest. In the next weeks, months, both the government and the organising committee will intensify our efforts to fully meet our 2001 targets," Simitis said during a visit to ATHOC's offices.

The Greek premier, who has personally taken charge of overseeing 2004 progress after repeated warnings about delays from the International Olympic Committee, said organisers must be careful of the image they project to the public.

"We must project an image of moderation. Citizens must understand this is a big project and not a field of small party or individual ambitions," he said.

ATHOC has been accused by the press and some politicians in the past of overspending and the opposition parties have attacked problems in preparations.

But Simitis is confident in the end that Greece will host a great Olympics.

"We will be the smallest country to date to have organised successfully the biggest athletics event in the world," he said.