Greece charters floating hotel for 2004 games
( 2001-11-10 15:11 ) (7 )

Greece has chartered its first floating hotel to host visitors to the 2004 Athens Olympics, the national organising committee said on Friday in Athens.

The Norwegian-flagged Splendour of the Seas is one of up to 13 cruiseliners Greece is planning to charter for the games. The 69,000-tonne ship, built in 1996, will be used to accommodate officials.

Greece plans to use up to three kilometres (two miles) of jetty space near the port city of Piraeus for the vessels to berth, the committee said.

Ships are being increasingly used as an accommodation option by coastal cities hosting large events, particularly if there is a lack of luxury hotel facilities.

Last year, the International Olympic Committee flashed a "yellow card" at Athens, saying it was in danger of not being able to host the Olympic Games.

The body accused Greece of letting bureaucracy hamper preparations, and urged Athens to speed up progress.

The country's Prime Minister Costas Simitis said that Greece's international reputation rested on its ability to organise a safe games.