Muchos news

So I haven't posted for a couple of days and so very much has happened. Yes folks, it's time for another quick-fire Olympics catch up.

THE NAME'S BOND, GOOD PR BOND...
Sean Connery met Athens 2004 president Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki today. And in a nice pro-Olympics love-in, announced, 'I definitely want to come. I am sure the Games are going to be a huge success because they will be different, because Greece is different. For example, see how successful the Games were for Australia and even Los Angeles, its also great that it is here in Europe.' Which is nice.

THE FOOTBALL MUST BE ON COS THEY'VE MADE THE DRAW
After some talk last month that the football competition might be postponed because of arguments between the IOC and FIFA over doping policy, it seems it must be on, cos they made the draw yesterday. In the men's 16-team draw, Greece were drawn in a group against South Korea, Mali and Mexico. Which is also nice.

OLYMPIC FLAME REACHES CHINA
Apparently the plane carrying it is called ‘Dias’, which may or may not be Greek for fire-proof aircraft. The torch relay began yesterday in Tiananmen Square - presumably the Chinese were hoping for some rather more positive coverage for the square than it had 15 years ago last week.

AUSTRALIANS GET CROSS AT ME FOR JOSHING ABOUT THEM
A couple of people have posted in comments that I was harsh in what I said about the Australian government warning people not to travel to Greece for the Olympics. I've got absolutely no problem with them warning people if they think/know there are definite risks, it just seems odd to me that no other country (as far as I know) has followed suit. But glad to hear from the Aussie correspondents that the torch relay went well.

MAIN STADIUM OPENS FOR TEST EVENT
That's happening today. But only a few thousand people are watching the athletics because there are only a few thousand seats ready. Still, at least they've got a roof.

I'M OFF TO EURO 2004 ON SATURDAY FOR A WEEK
Which I'm looking forward to. Although it may mean I don't have too much access to the net for updates.

THE SUN IS SHINING IN LONDON
Which doesn't happen as often as it should.