Partying Greeks eye Olympic success

Greece’s amazing Euro 2004 success has united the nation in its determination to stage the world’s greatest-ever Olympic Games.

Celebrations of last night’s brilliant victory over a shell-shocked host nation Portuguese side went on until dawn, not only in Athens but nationwide in other cities, towns and villages.

There were similar scenes of jubilation in the scattered islands of the Aegean sea, communities which are also an integral part in the make-up of the country which staged the first-ever modern Olympics 108 years ago.

But today was a normal Monday morning of work for Athenians and it is understood the Government, with the Olympic Games just over the horizon, are not planning a public holiday for a nation stunned by the football success.

People were travelling to work as usual and the rush hour traffic and renowned gridlocks in the city showed that, despite the all-night celebrations, life is quickly returning to normal.

“We have a full office working here just like any other day and I’m not aware of any plans for a public holiday,” said a spokesman for the Athens 2004 organising committee.

But the unexpected victory by a team regarded as outsiders when the tournament got under way, has brought excitement, pride and passion to the country’s grateful citizens.

“The atmosphere was absolutely mental,” said world indoor 60 metres gold-medallist Jason Gardener, after competing at the IAAF Super Grand Prix in Heraklion.

Gardener, who will remain on Crete until Wednesday to train, added: “They were setting off flares and fireworks. Cars, covered in Greek flags, drove constantly throughout the night, tooting their horns. Sleep was impossible.

“I arrived here on the night they beat the Czechs in the semi final and thought the celebrations then were loud.

“But they were nothing to the manic scenes which went on last night. There was jubilation on every street corner.”

Post-match partying in Athens reached an even higher level of noise.

“The victory will do nothing but good for the nation and is positive proof we are a country that won because of its teamwork,” said Nick Tsonis, a Greek Athletic Association spokesman.

“Now, after all of the negative publicity we have had regarding the staging of the Games, there will be one last united effort to ensure the Games go off with a hitch.”

Tsonis and his colleagues were delighted that the Greek trials, staged three weeks ago over three days in the Olympic Stadium, went off with barely a hitch.

The sliding Santiago Calatrava roof – one of the architectural centre-pieces of the Games – was in place and close to working order.

Outside the stadium there is still a lot of other work such as car parks and roadways to be completed.

But the area is awash with heavy machinery and other building equipment, as the Greeks increase their efforts with the opening ceremony for the Games only 39 days away.

This morning, as the sun began rising above the Acropolis, there was a feverish activity, not only at the main Athens Olympic Sports Complex but also at the dozen other major venues.

Even after the biggest celebration Athenians have enjoyed in decades, they are even more determined to ensure next month’s 21st Olympiad goes off without the slightest hitch.

Despite the magnificent achievement of the Greek squad it appears a public holiday in celebration of their success – certainly for Olympic workers – is on the back burner.