Olympic chiefs back Greece in rowing venue row

The International Olympic Committee has backed Greek organisers of the 2004 games over plans to build a rowing venue near the ancient battleground of Marathon.

Visiting IOC officials gave their endorsement for the site at Schinias, about 25 miles north of Athens, despite strong objections from Greek archaeologists and environmental groups.

The campaigners are concerned the project could disrupt a sensitive wetlands ecosystem and intrude on the historic site of the 490BC Battle of Marathon in which the Athenians defeated a superior Persian force.

The modern marathon race is based on the story that a messenger ran to Athens to spread the news of the victory and then died on the spot.

‘‘The Schinias venue development will greatly improve the present environmental situation in the area,’’ a statement from the IOC’s Sport and Environment Commission said.

The endorsement could provide a boost for the Athens organisers who have promised to overcome delays in venue construction.

‘‘We were very satisfied with what we heard and with what we saw,’’ Pal Schmitt, the IOC official heading the delegation, told Greece’s state-run ET-1 television.