Big Fat Greek Problems

By Sean Gregory; Elinda Labropoulou Monday, Dec. 08, 2003
    • In preparing to be host of next summer's Olympics, Athens has faced the usual hurdles, like finding enough hotel space and finishing construction on the venues. But some less conventional problems have cropped up too. Initially, the government planned to license extra brothels to meet surging demand during the Games (at the Sydney Olympics, 10,000 prostitutes serviced some 150,000 clients daily). After protests, including those of the powerful Greek Orthodox Church, the government backed down. Some other pre-Olympic headaches remain.

    --DEUS EX OLYMPIA The choice of Athena and Phevos as 2004 mascots has offended a group that worships the ancient gods. It's suing the Athens committee for $2.85 million

    --ANIMAL HUSBANDRY After a stray bit a Ukrainian archery coach while he was jogging, Greece announced plans to tag, neuter or euthanize the city's 60,000 lost dogs

    --GREENHOUSE? The new glass-and-steel roof over the Olympic stadium, some fear, will have spectators sweating along with the sprinters

    --SPORTS MECCA The city has no mosques. Plans to build one near the airport fizzled; the Orthodox Church said it would taint the skyline