ATHENS-(23-8-2002) President Mrs Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, speaking at a press conference at the Agios Kosmas Olympic Sailing Centre, appeared pleased with the results from the first pre-Olympic Test Event. Referring to the event, she said:
“During the course of the regatta we tested in practice our transition from the planning stage to that of action. From this Test Event we gained lessons of critical importance for a series of operational areas of ATHENS 2004. Every such event will make us even better, allowing us to test in practice every activity concerning the Games. We are also gaining in self-confidence and in speed, as there are now only two years left before the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games.”
Referring to the athletes and all those who participated in the pre-Olympic Sailing Test Event, the ATHENS 2004 President pointed out:
“We watched these capable sailors facing the challenge of the competition event.
Just as in the case of those athletes, we here at ATHENS 2004 also worked hard for this event and for the valuable experiences we gained and will utilise next year at the second Sailing Test Event, as well as two years from now at the Olympic Games. That is the significance of the Test Events. We test the people involved, our strengths and our planning -- and we learn in practice. According to the officials of the International Sailing Federation and the athletes themselves, we were distinguished in all three areas.”
The ATHENS 2004 President thanked all those who -- directly and indirectly - participated in the success of the event. She also noted in particular, the Volunteers from the sailing community , who staffed the racing areas, and especially those volunteers who came at their own expense from distant countries and throughout Greece.
ATHENS 2004 Executive Director Marton Simitsek referred to the competition programme of the ATHENS 2002 REGATTA, pointing out that yesterday a record number of 26 races took place to make up for those races that were postponed due to last Sunday's rainstorm.
Speaking in general about the event, he stressed that the plans that had been made `were very close to reality, very close to the desired result`. He added that from this first test event, personnel proved themselves capable of staffing the Agios Kosmas Olympic venue.
Mr Simitsek provided detailed figures on each separate operation of the event and concluded by stating that, by September 15th, there will be a complete study of the data on the event, including the suggestions that were collected from all participants based on a special questionaire handed out to athletes, their associates, judges, and representatives of the Greek and the international sailing federation.
Paul Henderson, President of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) and a member of the IOC, appeared particularly satisfied. He said, `When I came here two years ago, our International Sailing Federation was particularly strict and pointed out to the Organising Committee that it must leave a legacy to the Greeks after the Games.
We examined this venue and proposed that they see and follow the Barcelona example, which had done amazing things to upgrade the coast and the sailing facilities there.
I am delighted to see that the ATHENS 2004 Organising Committee has done even more. This venue is impressive, is excellent and will constitute a wonderful legacy for Greek citizens after the Games as well.
It will be viable from a commercial point of view and will not cause financial problems. Our marinas are in use and, indeed, if you invite me to visit you after ten years I will tell you that we really did a very good job.
As far as the sailors are concerned, they must all be very happy when they return to their respective countries around the world with very positive comments as to what will happen here in 2004.
The food is as good as at the Greek restaurants in Toronto, the city from which I come. The sailors are very satisfied and indeed say that it is the best food they have had at an event.
I therefore believe that you should be very optimistic as to your work. At the beginning we were worried as to whether there would be a volunteer base here to stage the Games and we therefore organised seminars around the world to train judges and referees. Indeed, such a seminar was organised here in Athens in March 2002, and the percentage which passed our exams was far higher than in any other seminar we organised worldwide.
We are therefore very satisfied with the quality of the administration of the Athens Games. There is still a lot of work that must be done until 2004, but we are certain that it will be one of the best Olympic events ever staged`.
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