Facing the music
Adaptability is our most indispensable weapon in tackling the extremely serious matter of security for the forthcoming Olympic Games. At this point, we are obliged to forget what we already know and how we would like things to be and instead must focus on adapting to what we are faced with. We have been hearing criticism of Greece’s decision to host the Olympics since we were granted the honor of hosting the Games nearly seven years ago, and a sober assessment of this skepticism today shows that it was far from groundless. Now with the attention of the entire world focused upon Olympic security, this self-questioning has become more relevant than ever. The threat of terrorism has always provoked debate about security, but things changed radically following the Sept. 11 attacks on the USA in 2001. Indeed, if the attacks had taken place before Greece had been offered the chance of organizing the 2004 Olympics, we probably would have thought very carefully about undertaking such a responsibility. And the International Olympic Committee would have also seriously thought about awarding the Olympics to such a small country with limited capabilities for ensuring high-level security. But we have taken the gamble, we are organizing the Games. What is crucial now is that we make sure we are not saddled with the sole responsibility for security, and that we take advantage of the returns to be reaped for undertaking this massive event…
