Fears emerged this week that Greece will struggle to complete its construction programme in time for the 2004 Olympic Games.
Although Athens has made up time over the past two years, Greek prime minister Costas Simitis told cabinet colleagues this week that organisers were struggling to meet project deadlines on infrastructure improvements and sporting venues.

An International Olympic Committee inspection team is to visit Athens next month to check on progress.

Several venues and roads are still a long way from being finished. This includes the project to convert an airport into a multisports complex, which has been held up by local objections.

The committee told Greece two years ago to speed up its build programme or risk losing the games.