Athens Quick Facts

The Athens Olympic Stadium

4,000 athletes, 2,000 team officials, 900 technical officials, 3,000 media representatives and 2,500 members of the Paralympic Family and their guests are expected to participate in the 2004 Paralympic Games.
The Paralympics will be organized by a single Organizing Committee for the Olympic and the Paralympic Games. This is the first time that such an organizational model is applied to the Paralympic Summer Games.
The budget of US$130 million as been finalized and approved by the ATHOC Board. 37 per cent of the budget will be provided by the Greek government and 25 percent is expected as revenue from sponsorship, licensing, ticketing, etc.
A “Paralympics Department” was established in ATHOC last year. It coordinates all Paralympic activities of other ATHOC departments and is headed by Mr. Aris Kallipolitis. Aris is assisted by Apostolos Rejas and Trifon Zacharopoulos, who gathered valuable experience by working for the Sydney 2000 Organizing Committee. Other departments have also formed Paralympic Sections such as Transport, Education, Accommodation and Marketing.
10,000 volunteers are expected to offer their services during the Games in 2004.
Issues of accessibility are addressed by an Accessibility Advisory Committee. All venue requirements have been identified. A study is currently being conducted, which will reveal the accessibility requirements in the area of Attica and especially around the Paralympic Venues.
ATHOC will conduct an extensive research project regarding the degree of familiarity of the Greek population with the Paralympic Games. Based on the results, information campaigns will be designed to increase awareness, knowledge and sensitivity within the Greek society.
The first IPC Games Liaison Committee Meeting will take place in July. ATHOC will report on its progress in areas such as Transportation, Sports, Education, Marketing and Planning.
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