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Athens hosts Olympic test regatta

The regatta is the first official test event of the 2004 Olympic Games

ATHENS, Greece -- The countdown to the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens has begun with a practice regatta at the Agios Kosmas sailing centre.

The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) and race organisers scheduled the dress rehearsal for both sailors and officials.

The aim is to allow race officials to detect any potential problems and to give sailors a feel of the wind and sea conditions to help design their boats for the event.

The Greek organising committee (ATHOC) has been under considerable pressure from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to get some of the infrastructure and stadium building projects underway.

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But planning difficulties as well as a downturn in the sponsorship forecasts created by the economic impact of the events of the September 11 attacks in the United States have meant many of the projects have had to be downsized.

Although the official pre-Olympic regatta will be held in August 2003, this test regatta -- running from August 14 – 25 -- is the first official test event of the 2004 Olympic Games.

Some 500 sailors from 40 countries are competing in 10 out of the 11 Olympic sailing classes.

Only the Star class is missing as it is having its World Championships in the United States at the same time.

Eleven races are scheduled for all classes except the 49ers, which are expected to complete 16 races.

The first modern Olympics, without sailing, was held in Athens in 1896 under the patronage of Baron de Coubertin.