The Greek Athletics Federation (SEGAS) has been forced to indefinitely suspend all domestic competitions because severe funding cuts have made life impossible for athletes, coaches and support staff. In just over a month’s time Greece will host the Olympic flame lighting ceremony ahead of London 2012 but, as the suspension highlights, the country’s own Olympic preparations are a shambles.
Tradition dictates that the Greek team always lead the procession of athletes during the Olympic opening ceremony, but the government’s cuts mean that this summer the country will be sending its smallest squad since the 1992 Games in Barcelona. Only 75 athletes will travel to London, less than half the number who attended the Games in Beijing and only a sixth of the number who competed at the Athens Olympics in 2004.
The head of the athletics federation, Vassilis Sevastis, said: “The cuts in funding for the federation, last year and this year, are so extensive that they do not allow us to cover our basic needs. We can’t do our job properly. We’re at a dead-end financially.” The federation’s budget was cut by a third in 2011 and by a third again in 2012. It has €6.5m (£5.4m) to spend this year. It is not enough to cover basic operating costs and leaves coaches and other support staff unpaid for their previous year’s work.
Greek athletes, including the world indoor high jump champion Dimitris Chondrokoukis, have criticised the government for cutting funding. “The conditions are unacceptable and facilities are a big problem,” Chondrokoukis said. “There is lack of heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer. Nevertheless, we all keep trying. I do it purely for personal reasons.
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