Newz Forum: OLYMPICS: Let the games begin

ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- Americans, Australians and Finns were among the first to check into the Olympic Village on Friday as the venue opened its doors to athletes.

Organizers said the village, nine miles northwest of central Athens, was to receive about 500 of the expected 16,000 athletes and team officials. On Monday, another 2,000 are to arrive.

"Today the Olympic Games begin ... because the Olympic village opened its doors," Spyros Capralos, the government's general secretary for sport, told The Associated Press.

Athens organizers gave no details on the arrivals.

The area, protected by double walls with sensors and guarded by hundreds of police, has 2,292 apartments as well as swimming pools, theaters, restaurants, bars and places of worship.

Source

Sports Illustrated




[Edited on 31/7/04 by TRD]