Release courtesy ATHOC media relations. Paul Merca --------------------
Athens, September 24, 2002 DELEGATION OF INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ATHLETIC FEDERATIONS VISITS ATHOC A delegation of the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) today completed a two-day visit to the ATHOC headquarters. The delegation was comprised of Istvan Gyulai, the IAAF's General Secretary, Technical Executives Bill Bailey, Cezar Moreno Bravo, Jean Poczobut, Events Manager Sandro Giovannelli, and Planning Manager Rosie Pili. The IAAF officials were briefed in detail on the progress in preparations for the Olympic Athletics competition. The briefings were provided by ATHOC Executive Director Spyros Capralos, General Manager for Sports Makis Asimakopoulos, Competition Manager Yannis Gounaris, Sports Planning Manager Eleni Michopoulou, Sports Services Manager Anita Spring, Sports Sector Manager Evangelos Papapostolou and by other ATHENS 2004 officials. They were briefed on issues of hospitality, the competition programme, ticketing, transport, sports equipment, accreditation, television broadcasting, training sites, and doping. They also discussed the issue of planning the Marathon race course, which involved all its related subjects such as, the time of the race's commencement, transport, etc. The officials visited yesterday the Olympic Village and various hotels scheduled to host the IAAFís Games-time delegation. Mr. Istvan Gyulai expressed his satisfaction over the cooperation with the executives of the Organising Committee. "It was one of our regular meetings, as always held within the framework of our constructive cooperation with the Organising Committee. We are very satisfied with the briefing and progress achieved in all sectors. Our cooperation does not stop here, but continues and will be completed when the Games end", said the Mr Gyulai. He added: "We are very pleased with what we saw during our visit to the Olympic Village, but also with its convenient distance from the Olympic Stadium, which is no more than 15 to 20 minutes being very important for the athletes". # # #
