Head-on collision over Athens train
The head of the 2004 Olympics organizing committee and the mayor of Athens accused each other of ignorance yesterday in a heated exchange sparked by the city council’s court appeal against a crucial railway project for the Games. The city claims the suburban railway would take up vital road space in built-up areas of the city. «I was surprised by the city council’s reaction,» Athens 2004 President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki said. «[Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos] should know that works such as the suburban railway will help Athens… If he has any questions, we invite him to attend the next session of the Athens 2004 organizing committee. Until then, let him not be carried away by bad advisers… To hold a public position is above party or personal interests.» Avramopoulos countered that the 2004 president «should be briefed in depth before making statements like today’s, which display immoderation and disrespect for the democratic institution of the Athens city council.»
