Athens claims progress despite negative report

? The head of Athens’ battered organizing committee for the 2004 Olympics met with IOC leaders Saturday in the wake of yet another review that found preparations lagging.

Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki and aides spent almost an hour with the International Olympic Committee’s executive board, longer than usual for what is supposed to be a routine quarterly report.

The questions and attitude of the board were the same as always, focusing on details and changes, Angelopoulos-Daskalaki said. She said she was able to report progress in many areas, including construction of the Olympic Village and the international media and broadcast centers.

But she acknowledged a late-January report from Denis Oswald, head of the IOC’s oversight panel for Athens, that said the Greek government has been unable to overcome problems with Olympic accommodation and transportation.

“We learn some good lessons. One is that we can never relax,” the Athens chief said. “We have to make changes and consider different ideas. It’s not new it happens to all organizing committees.”

She also said the board “asked me to relax and enjoy Salt Lake City, and ski around. But for the moment I must be all eyes and ears and attention and mind for the games of 2004.”

Angelopoulos-Daskalaki was the head of the bid committee that won Athens the games and was brought back as organizing chief after the IOC warned Greece that it was dangerously behind in building and other preparations.