Olympics organiser turns on her critics

The chief organiser of the Athens Olympics lashed out at critics in the Greek media today, claiming they have mounted a slander campaign against her.

“This goes beyond every limit of legitimate criticism ... I am dealing with a barbaric attack,” Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki said.

A public prosecutor launched a preliminary inquiry this month into press reports linking Angelopoulos-Daskalaki to a company which vetted sponsors for the August games.

Angelopoulos – widely rumoured to be seeking a career in politics following the Olympics – said the claims were part of a “vulgar and barbaric libel campaign.”

She added: “I am certain that public opinion, which watches and understands, will scorn this extreme slander campaign and condemn those behind it.”