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Olympic sailing test causes delay

Lasers put to the test near Athens

ATHENS, Greece -- Construction deadlines for the 2004 Athens Olympics could be missed because of a practice sailing regatta, the Greek government says.

The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) and race organisers held an eight-day dress rehearsal last month for the 2004 Olympics regatta so race officials could spot any problems in its planning.

But Yiannis Alevras, a deputy minister in charge of Olympic planning, told The Associated Press the sailing regatta at the Agios Kosmas sailing centre had delayed construction at the marina and an adjacent sports complex by a month.

The Greek organising committee (ATHOC) has been under considerable pressure to get some of the infrastructure and stadium building projects under way with the Games less than two years away.

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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has repeatedly emphasized Athens, the ancient birthplace of the Games, has no margin for more delays or disruptions in projects.

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.

And with the Olympic sailing regatta organisers planning about 20 more tests -- which are vital to locate and correct any glitches -- scheduled for next year, Alevras warned there could be more construction delays.

The test regatta, held in the Saronic Gulf, was viewed as a success with 507 sailors from 40 countries competing in 10 out of the 11 Olympic sailing classes.