The race for the finish (which is to say, the start)

Yes, with just ten days to go until the Games begin, it's time for a quick-fire round-up of the news.

ATHENS AIRPORT TO SEGREGATE ARRIVING FANS FROM ARRIVING COMPETITORS
This is news apparently, seems quite obvious to me (I didn't expect to be sharing a luggage carousel with Maurice Green). Moving on...

OFFICIAL WEBSITE BIGS ITSELF UP
Apparently athens2004.com (which is a jolly good website) has been getting millions of hits over the past few days. They're also promising bang up to date coverage of the Games once they've begun. They're expecting five million visitors a day. Which is quite a few more than athens2004blog gets (ho hum).

FIRST SINCE MOSCOW
Athens is the first Olympics since Moscow in 1980 to be funded entirely out of state funds. There's a good quiz question in that.

GAMES ORGANISER CHIEF 'SMILING'.
The Chief Games organizers Gianna Angelopoulos is ready and raring to go. "I'm running smoothly, I still have strength, I'm smiling, I can see the end of the marathon right after the next corner. I'm looking forward to the end of it. I'm in good shape," she added. Hooray for her.

ONE LANE TRAFFIC RULE THINGY IMPOSED
As of today, on Athens main three lane roads, only one lane can be used for non-Olympic traffic (ie VIPs, athletes, journalists etc). Sounds a bit like the special taxi lane on the M4 into London (not a good thing). But as long as the VIPs make it to their comfy seats in time...

GREEK PM CONFIDENT OF PEACEFUL GAMES
"I believe that no one will consider attacking the Games, which are a celebration of peace, culture and understanding between nations," Karamanlis said. I certainly hope he's right.

LEAFLETS GIVEN OUT TO STOP TOURISTS GETTING RIPPED OFF
In attempt to stop shops, restaurants and taxi drivers putting up their prices for visitors during the Games, the Greek government are issuing leaflets giving common prices for various goods and journies. Which is a nice idea. Well done Greek government.

So there you go. Now you've got plenty of conversation starting topics to get a bit of a chat going with your loved ones or colleagues. Why not try it right now. 'Did you know that the Athens Games are the first since 1980...'