Polls hail Olympics as success
Greeks were overwhelmingly pleased with the Athens Olympics, according to two newspaper polls released this weekend. Asked about the Games’ organization, 83 percent of Greeks questioned thought it was ‘very good,’ according to a poll published on Saturday in Ta Nea daily. Despite the high cost, 73.5 percent said it was worth hosting the Games, according to the second, in Sunday’s To Vima. Greeks are optimistic about their future after the Olympics. More than half said life in Athens would be better than before, while 61 percent felt hosting the Olympics would benefit Greece in the long term. The opening ceremony and Pyrros Dimas winning a fourth Olympic medal were the most memorable moments for most Greeks. Only 28 percent found Olympic security excessive, and three-quarters of respondents want Athens public transport to continue operating through the night. Over 63 percent disagreed with the antics of fans who delayed the start of the men’s 200-meter final by booing and chanting the name of disgraced sprinter Costas Kenteris.
