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Greeks enthusiastic about Olympic Games
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-09-18 11:07

The great majority of Greeks - 80 percent - believe that the Athens Olympic Games were better than expected, according to a survey conducted by Focus and released Friday.

However, 89 percent said it was concerned about the cost of the Games, while 57 percent is concerned about the cost of maintaining the sports facilities, and 56 percent is concerned about unemployment now that the Olympic projects have been completed.

The survey, which was conducted between September 10 and 13 in Athens and Thessaloniki, involved phone interviews of 600 people randomly chosen.

Of those surveyed, 79 percent said they were interested in watching the Paralympic Games, while the successful opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games has piqued the interest of 93 percent of those surveyed who plan to watch the Paralympic ceremonies.

In terms of how the Olympic Games benefited Greece, 69 percent believe the greatest benefit was the exposure the country enjoyed worldwide, while 43 percent cited the improved and expanded public transport system.

Additionally, 63 percent of those surveyed said the most positive event of the Games was the opening ceremony, 41 percent said it was the volunteers, 30 percent cited the effective security measures and 28 percent the smooth staging of the Games.

In terms of negative impressions, 62 percent cited the doping scandals, 56 percent the absence of Greek sprinters Costas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou, 34 percent the cost of tickets, 28 percent the media's focus on illegal performance-enhancing substances and 27 percent the increased prices of products and services.



 
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