Athens 2004

After a break of 108 years the Olympic Games are set to return to Athens, the birthplace of the modern games, where athletes and sports enthusiasts from all over the globe will gather to celebrate this unique event.
Despite ongoing worries about insufficient accommodation, slow construction and security, Athens Organising President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki has vowed that nothing will stop the games from being ready for the August 13 opening ceremony, and most Greeks are confident that the Games will be a huge success and a valuable showcase for the country, its culture and people.
On a bright note organizers have already met their target of attracting 150,000 applications from people willing to work as volunteers during the Games. 45,000 volunteers will be needed to work during the August Olympics, and another 15,000 during the September Paralympics.

Long Term Benefits

Greece, one of the smallest countries to host the Olympic Games in modern times has already benefitted financially, The direct budget of the Organising Committee is 765 million euros but there is also a massive infrastructure requirement which is being financed by the Greek Government with support from the European Union. This has already covered the development of a new International Airport, the construction of extensions to the Athens Metro and new rapid tramway links as well as new Olympic facilities. In addition, the centre of Athens has been transformed and air pollution is a thing of the past.

Useful Olympic Links

Athens Guide
Olympic History

Cookery Corner

Before Easter most Greeks observe a Lenten fast. Two of the things they are allowed to eat are soupies (cuttlefish) and kalamaria (squid). A popular way to cook these is with spinach.

Ingredients

750 gm cuttlefish or squid. 1/3 cup olive oil. 750 gm spinach. 1 cup chopped spring onions. Juice of 1/2 lemon. Salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Instructions

Cuttlefish (soupies) as distinct from squid (kalamaria) are preferred for this dish, though either may be used. Cleaning cuttlefish can be a rather messy business as these marine molluscs have an ink sac from which the pigment sepia is obtained. The sac ruptures easily and is usually ruptured by the time you purchase them, so don't be put off by their colour ~ the ink rinses off easily. Rinse cuttlefish or squid and remove head, attached tentacles and intestines; discard intestines. Pull out cuttle bone or fine transparent bone if squid is being prepared. Pull off fine skin and rinse. Remove eyes and beak from head, leave head attached to tentacles and pull or rub off skin from tentacles, or as much skin as will easily come off. Slice hood or body into strips. If squid are large, slice head and tentacles - cuttlefish tentacles are usually small and these are left intact. Place prepared cuttlefish or squid in pan and set on medium heat. Cover and cook for 15 minutes in its own juice. Add half the oil, just enough water to cover, and salt and pepper to taste, cover and simmer gently for 45 minutes or until tender. Meanwhile trim spinach and wash thoroughly. Drain well and chop leaves and stalks coarsely. Heat remaining oil in a separate pan and gently fry spring onion until soft, add spinach and stir over heat until it wilts. Add spinach mixture to cuttlefish or squid with lemon juice and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for further 10-15 minutes. Serve hot.

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Editorial

After a devastating winter which saw sub-zero temperatures in Corfu and which did farmers and gardeners no favours, spring has finally arrived and thoughts are turning to the summer.
This summer there is an additional reason to visit Greece -the Olympics and Paralympics.
Accommodation in Athens during the games is scarce and expensive, so why not split your stay between Athens and Corfu? There are still tickets available for many events and from Corfu, via the new Athens Airport and Metro, you are only a couple of hours away from the stadia. Even if you choose to watch the Games on TV, how much nicer to watch them in Greece!
In this issue of Pelekas News we have provided some general Games related information and some links to other Olympic web pages.
Wherever you decide to watch them, we hope you will be impressed with the warm welcome the Greeks give both competitors and spectators alike. The same warm welcome that keeps people coming back to Pelekas year after year.

Note - Rolling Stone Pension at Kontogialos (Pelekas) Beach is offering Olympic tickets along with accommodation this summer. To find out more click here.

Athena and Phevos

The Olympic games mascots, twin siblings Athena and Phevos, were inspired by a 7th century BC bell-shaped doll believed to be one of the world's first toys.
Phevos, the male mascot, is another name for Apollo, the god of light and music. His sister, Athena, is named after the goddess of wisdom and protector of the Greek capital Athens.
The prototype doll with its endearing oversized feet is on show at the National Archaeological museum in Athens.

Athens 2004 Trivia

Torchbearers are entitled to purchase the torch, upon completion of their portion of the Olympic Torch Relay.
Since July 2000, Atherns 2004 has recycled 108 tonnes of paper, saving 1,836 trees and cutting energy consumption by 442,800kW.
Before the Games start, more than 1 million large bushes, 290,000 new trees and 11 million new shrubs will be thriving throughout Athens.
During the Games, 50,000 meals will be prepared daily at the Olympic Village, utilizing 100 tons of food.
Revenue generated from the sale of Athens 2004 official licensed merchandise is addressed to the funding of the Games and the Greek Olympic team.
Hyundai (Grand National Sponsor) will provide a fleet of environmentally- friendly electric cars to accommodate certain 2004 transport needs.
During the Olympic Games, the Olympic Village will provide accommodation and free-of charge services to 16,000 athletes and team officials.