Preperations for the London Olympics are at the same stage as Athens was a day before the Games opened in the Greek capital in 2004, the chief Olympics inspector said today.
Denis Oswald, head of the International Olympic Committee's inspection team, contrasted the near-complete Olympic Park with the chaos in Athens before the 2004 Games. On a visit to London this week his team was impressed by the completed Olympic stadium and the athletes' village, where one block is ready.
Mr Oswald said trees and plants were now taking root- in contrast to Athens where they were being planted as the athletes arrived.
He said: "The London Olympic park looks now like Athens did a day before the Games.
"In Athens they were planting trees when athletes were moving into the village. It's a big difference and it's why we congratulate Locog on planning the preparations
so well."
He added Games organiser Locog was "on the right track" despite an ongoing financial row with the British Olympic Association.
