Antenna: News in English (AM), 97-08-01

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From: Antenna Radio <http://www.antenna.gr> - email: [email protected]

News in English, 01/08/97

TITLES

• Nikos Kaklamanakis wind-surfing gold Olympic medalist successfully reaches the island of Crete
• Athens officials are rehearsing for the opening ceremony set to begin Friday evening at the Panathinaikos stadium
• And, part four of our week-long report on tourism in Greece.

KAKLAMANAKIS

Strong willed Ka-kla-manA-kis, AKA 'the son of Aeolos' god of the winds, crossed the Aegean and Cretan Sea in a cumulative total of 14 hours and 45 minutes.

Ka-kla-ma-nA-kis literally flew over the sea at an average of 18 knots per hour making the trip from Sounio to Santorini in 8 hours and 45 minutes on Wednesday. That is two hours faster than the ferry boat trip linking the two cites. At some moments during the trip he reached a speed of up to 35 knots per hour.

Pending his arrival in Santorini, the young gold medalist had another 80 nautical miles to cover until he reached the island of Crete. During the voyage from Santorini to Crete the gold medalist faced many problems due to strong gusts of wind. He managed to reach the island in six hours.

Upon his arrival Thursday afternoon in Iraklio he was greeted at the port by development minister Vasso Papandreou amid the shouts and screams of the hundreds of people who came to greet this amazing and talented young man.

Ka-kla-manA-kis' grandfather was from the island of Crete.

ATHENS'97/CEREMON.

The long awaited ceremony will be attended by Greek president, Kostis Stephanopoulos, prime minister Kostas Simitis, international sports officials, athletes and thousands of people.

In preparation for the upcoming games, the Greek capital has gone all out making sure that things run smoothly during the ten day championship event.

As of July 25th, strict security measures have been implemented by police ensuring the protection athletes, officials and journalists.

Fifteen thousand uniformed and plainclothed police officers as well as specially trained dogs, have been mobilized in and around the olympic stadium. All central hotels, the international airport as well as all thoroughfares are being monitored.

Hundreds of policemen are presently stationed outside the stadium admitting access only to accredited personnel and journalists. Numerous hidden cameras, and the extensive use of helicopters are being implemented to ensure that everything runs smoothly during the championships.

A car ban covering the central streets of Athens around the Panathinaikos Stadium and Syntagma Square will be put into effect Friday afternoon at five.

The long awaited impressive opening ceremony of the 6th World Athletic Championships to be staged at the Panathinaikos will sport an astonishing special effects show.

World renowned Greek composer Vangelis PapathanassEEou, who won an oscar for Best Original Score 1981 for the film 'Chariots of Fire', happily accepted the invitation from the organizing committee to stage, direct and orchestrate the show. Vangelis' extroadinary career as composer and performer began in the 70's when he moved from Greece to Paris to expand the fusion of sounds, which have become his distinctive trademark.

Vangelis will be joined by his 30 member crew. Two giant projection screens will be used showing thousands of pictures in conjunction with the championships. Famous Spanish soprano MonserA Cabayet will also participate in the event.

The long awaited field and track championships will be broadcast live to over 3 billion viewers all over the world.

ATHLETES

Havier Sotomayior, Cuban world record winner in the high jump, is optimistic he'll win the gold, saying, "I'm perfectly ready for the Games, in my country, athletism is highly esteemed by our society". Adding with a smile, "I'm here to hear my country's national anthem".

Haile Gkebresselassie, Ethiopian world record winner in the 10 thousand meter race decided to compete in the world championships in Athens because it was a national duty saying, "I'll carry the national banner, represent my country and lead the Ethiopian team. So despite the difficult track situation I am likely to face I have decided to participate. He also was a little more realistic than Sotomayior saying, "I've been training very hard, but I'd prefer not to make any predictions".

Another important track-and-field star who has arrived in Greece for the Championships is British top champion Olympic gold medalist in the decathlon, Danley Thomson.

At home in Athens in celebration of the upcoming games, Sports minister Andreas FOUras held a reception in honour of the Greek national track-and- field team Wednesday night. New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis was on hand wishing Greek athletes success in the games.

"You don't owe us anything.", Fouras told the 72 Greek athletes, in an effort to alleviate the stress associated with pre-performance jitters.

"You athletes shouldn't be burdened with stress now. you have already given so much to sports lovers". Adding that, athletes have only one obligation to themselves, to be as one with their personal performances. And if a medal comes...it'll be welcome".

The Greek champions say they're ready and will do their best for Greece, urging all sport lovers to come to the stadium and support them.

Harris Papadias, the men's 60 meter race champion commented saying, "My training was good. I experienced an injury two weeks ago that kept me behind, but overcame the problem and will do my best".

Katerina Thanou, 60 meter race champion said, "I'm in good shape. I expect an excellent performance and a good position in the finals".

Lambros Papakostas, high jump champion exclaimed, "As we all know, these Games are the most important athletic event to be held in Greece over the last years. And that is how all of Greece's track-and- field athletes are looking at the upcoming event. I believe we are all ready, and that we'll do our best".

Kostas Koukodeemos, Long jump medalist said, "Any Greek sports lover who will come to the stadium to watch the Championships, will be fascinated by the performance of Greek athletes. Adding that "the world champions are something to see". Koukodeemos didn't do so well in the 1996 Olympics, but is is back in form this year saying. "I believe that the mistakes of the past will be a very good lesson for me".

Angelos Pavlakakis, 100 meter race runner said, "This year was a big success for me. I see the upcoming games as the ''icing on the cake''. The cake has been the whole year."

Kostas Gkatsioudis, champion javelin thrower confirmed his participation in the Games, after suffering a recent injury. "I have two slight injuries in my back and ankle". Insisting that they won't inhibit his performance in the games. Adding that, "The Olympic stadium medical team is doing its best to help me. I believe when it is time for me to perform, everything will be alright".

NEBIOLO

Primo Nebiolo, the President of Track-and-Field's governing body says that 'Athen's 1997' will be the best World Championship ever organized.

The president of the International Amateur Athletic Federation in a press conference held Thursday also encouraged Greeks to attend the opening ceremony at the Panathinaikos Stadium on Friday night. He also commented on the record attendance of countries and athletes participating to the Games. There will be 200 countries participating, in which 2,677 athletes will compete. Adding that, 206 countries will broadcast the event, which means that over three billion viewers will watch the games from all over the world.

He added that this year, athletes participating in the Championships will have an additional motive, money. A gold medal, for example figures out to about 60 thousand dollars to the athelete who wins it.

ELECTRICITY

The cost of electricity will increase by 3.5 per cent, according to DEH officials.

The Greek state-owned electricity company said the slight increase doesn't exceed the inflation rate.

The increase refers to ALL electricity use, whether or not it's during peak hours.

GREENPEACE

The environmental organization's aim presented in a series of proposals on Thursday, is to supply useful and ecologically clean solutions, freeing the energy market by the year 2000.

Stelios Pso-mAs, spokesman for Greenpeace's energy matters explains that, "Citizens CAN produce electricity from renewable energy sources, in effect OBLIGING electric companies to buy this ''clean'' electricity at a reasonable price".

Greenpeace submitted its proposals to Greek EU commissioner Christos Papout- sEEs.

A recent announcement by Development minister Vasso Papandreou suggested that by the year 2000, citizen's will be able to produce their own electricity, rather than obtaining it from DEH, the Greek state's Electricity Company.

The Development ministry already has in the works an energy program of the largest solar powered station in the world. It is scheduled to be built in Crete.

SOFIA

The lucky turtle, baptised Sofia by Antenna TV reporters is back in her natural habitat.

The injured turtle had swallowed a hook and had managed to tangle herself up in a fisherman's net off the coast of Mytilini.

She received proper medical treatment at the Sea Turtle Protection center located in the seaside suburb of Glyfada.

Sofia was then transported by Olympic Airways back to Mytilini where she was originally found.

© ANT1 Radio 1997

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