Ten years after hosting the Olympic Games, Greece is in the spotlight again, Euronews reports.
While some believe that Athens benefitted from the Games, images from Hellinikon seem to tell a different side of the story.
In contrast to the splendour seen in 2004, today’s pictures of neglected sports venues are making the headlines around the world.
Used for just 15 days, many sites have fallen into neglect. Some believe the cost of the Games contributed significantly to the Greek financial crisis.
The video tries to give answers to questions such as why have some sites been allowed to fall into such disrepair? Are the two governments who took power since the Games responsible for failing to capitalize on Greece’s Olympic history? Why were so many sites fenced off from the public for so many years? And why has it taken so long to rejuvenate the Olympic spirit?
“In 2004, Greece won the battle. Ten years later, it seems the country has lost the war. National pride was replaced by disappointment and anger. But plans to reutilize some of the Olympic venues, could contribute to the end of the crisis,” Euronews correspondent Apostolos Staikos said.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
