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Athens Looks to F1 to Boost Image, Revenues

Plans are afoot to build a Formula One race track in Drapetsona near the port of Piraeus in an attempt to raise Greece’s international profile and boost its struggling economy, local media reported.
The track, to be called Themistokleios, is to be built in an abandoned area once used for fertilizer production that will also host two five-star hotels, a museum dedicated to Greek mythology, shops and a marina.
“At this decisive juncture for Greece every event that might make our country known abroad and draw international interest is welcome and must be supported,”Deputy Minister for Education and Sport Costas Tzavaras said in a recent statement.
“The prospect of a Formula One race at Drapetsona creates expectations for the revaluation of our tourism sector through the regeneration of the area. At the same time it will help create new jobs and promote our country’s image overseas,” he added.
The project for the race track was presented a year ago by the private company Dielpis and has received the backing of various stakeholders including F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone. Qatari financiers and the Turkish businessman and owner of Istanbul’s F1 track, Mumtaz Tahincioglu, have also shown interest in the project.The aim now is to build the track in time for it to be included in the program for the 2015 F1 circuit.
Drapetsona-Keratsini Mayor Lucas Tzanis told the Greek news agency ANSA that the project would be entirely funded by private capital and create 5,000 permanent and 3,000 temporary jobs. Construction will be put out to international tender shortly, he added.

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