The host city of the 2004 Athens Olympics has benefited a great deal from hosting the Games despite criticism on the use of Olympic venues after the sporting event, the city's vice-mayor said yesterday.

"I would have to say that Athens has changed a lot because of the Olympic Games," Vassilis Kikilias said.

"The city has expanded its transportation routes and streets ... complete with a large ring road," Kikilias said.

The city, which had no metro before the Games, also has three metro lines now, he said.

As for the Olympic venues, Kikilias said some have been converted into buildings such as supermarkets, shopping malls and restaurants, with the rest ready for hosting high-level sports competitions.

The Olympic venues in Athens have been criticized for being built at considerable cost, with the authorities not acting fast enough to recoup costs.

"There must be a post-Games strategy for the venues," Kikilias said.

"So, if you feel that your country has a great tradition with football, then yes, I think you should build big football stadiums and it is something that is going to stay and be used after the Olympic Games," he said.

Official blessings

The vice-mayor, who used to be a professional basketball player, also expressed his strong desire for a successful Beijing Olympic Games this August.

"We are sure the Chinese people are going to successfully present to the world their tradition and way of life," he said.

"We are very interested in what they are going to do and we are very optimistic of the Games.

"It is going to be very, very successful."

Other senior officials in Greece also gave their blessing for the upcoming Beijing Games.

"Although China and Greece are separated by tens of thousands of miles, the two countries share the fact that they both have long, brilliant histories," Ioannis Sgouros, prefect of Athens, said.

"I wish the Beijing Olympic Games success, and hope that the budding friendship between Greece and China will continue to flourish."

Greek Culture Minister, Michalis Liapis also showed great appreciation for the cultural communication between the two countries.

"The Greek culture year held in China last year helped a lot in the promotion of ancient Greek culture, as well as modern Greece," he added.

"In August, a Greek culture exhibition will also be held in Beijing, which will show the great support and friendship of the Chinese government for Greece."

(China Daily March 24, 208)