Olympics to stay in Athens

[iskander_32]

Hi Im probably known for my anti ancient Athens views as I love Alexanders memory.However the Athens Olympics really has the spirit of the games, I know ot comercially and Politically impossible but feel they should always ge there.Also maybe the Greeks could follow Thessaloniki, build a statue to commemorate a Greek,Macedonian citizen of the world who I would say achieved more than any man before or since.Hail AlexanderRegardskenny

[Kit]

I think that would depend on your viewpoint of the pros & cons of Alexander's achievements.Kit

[jona]

Keeping the Games in Greece is cheaper because you can build permanent accomodations; it is politically less dangerous because Greece is a more or less neutral state; and we can skip the commercialized competition between all these cities that want the games. I fully agree that they should remain in Greece.Jona

[jona]

What I forgot: the Greek Olympic authorities have, until now, shown that they are very serious about doping tests. We need to go back to Seoul to see something similar.I have not read anything about unfair referees - unlike ice hockey in Salt Lake City.Nor have I heard anything about corruption - unlike Salt Lake City.Finally, unlike president Bush in Salt Lake City, I have not heard any Greek politician make political statements. (Although I was less happy with the Alexander element.)Perhaps the Athenian Games are not perfect, but the Greeks have proven that it is still possible to organize games without corruption, politics, and partial referees. I hope we can add doping too.Jona

[ruthaki]

From someone who has visited and lived in greece from 1978 and has had a long, long love affair with the people and country, I agree with Jona. If the Olympics had never left perhaps they would not have become so corrupted and a big capitalistic show.
I was pleased that the Greeks tried to show what the true meaning of the olympic Games were in their opening ceremonies. It's just tragic that their two top athletes let them down so shamefully!

[yiannis]

The Olympics to stay permanently in Greece is a matter that pops every few years since the modern Olympics began in 1896. It was first raised in 1906 but rejected. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?sec ... id=1854279
It was brought up again by ex-PM K.Karamanlis in the 1970's: http://www.karamanlis-foundation.gr/en/ergo/erg_e5.html