| ATHENS, GREECE-(18-8-2002) As the “ATHENS 2002 Regatta”, the first ATHENS 2004 pre-Olympic Test Event, athletes and accompanying officials have expressed positive feedback for two vital Test Event areas: medical services and the internet.
ATHENS 2004 Medical Services Manager, Kostas Parisisstated that participants have been praising the high quality of medical services provided at the Regatta: `All competing athletes are very satisfied and are making positive comments, pointing out that we are fully organised. Whatever has been asked from us in the medical sector, either from athletes or accompanying officials, we have responded to with the highest standards`.
The following services are available at Agios Kosmas during the Regatta:
The ATHENS 2004 stationary medical unit, fully equipped and staffed to handle:
urgent cardio-vascular and respiratory incidents
various forms of injuries which athletes are likely to suffer according to statistics
At sea, throughout the course of the day, immediate assistance can be provided by:
two vessels, each staffed with two lifeguards
a unit for cardio-vascular and respiratory support
Also stationed within the premises are vessels and an ambulance of the Greek First Aid Centre (EKAB), ready to transport patients to the 'Asklipeio' hospital in Voula. The hospital will be on constant stand-by throughout the duration of the “Athens 2002 Regatta”.
The Agios Kosmas medical unit and services are staffed with 4 doctors, 4 physiotherapists, 5 nurses and 4 lifeguards.
By Sunday afternoon, 175 light incidents related to excessive exposure to the sun, injuries and sprains, headaches, etc., had been reported and treated successfully.
The Internet
Also receiving praise for its services during the Regatta is the ATHENS 2004 Interactive Media @ Internet Department.
`Even though from the point of view of infrastructure and equipment we are not at the level planned for the Games, we achieved very good timing in both publicising the results and in issuing weather reports`, said Mrs Pagona Gerosideri, the official internet manager for the Regatta. She added that her department received valuable assistance from the Regatta Informatics services, the OTE telecom technicians, and the National Weather Service`.
It is noted that competition results are posted on the site within less than a minute from their issuing by the Committee.
Furthermore, there are two weather reports posted on the site, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, with forecasts for the Agios Kosmas area specifically.
The site (www.athens2004.com) also contains information on the pre-Olympic Test Events and the current Regatta in particular.
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