IOC gives Athens formal all-clear

International Olympic Committee (IOC) chiefs on Wednesday gave Athens a formal clean bill of health for August's Games, banishing long-standing fears that it would not be ready on time.

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For four years, the IOC had warned Athens organisers to speed up preparations but its final inspection of facilities on Wednesday ended with "green lights" all round.

"In the past we had doubts. I am very happy to report that all these doubts have disappeared," IOC chief inspector Denis Oswald told reporters after a three-day visit that included talks with Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and top Games officials.

"We had a lot of yellow or red spots before indicating some projects were at risk," Oswald said. "In construction now, nearly all is green."

Source: REUTERS
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