Annual winds stir up plenty of trouble in Greece

ATHENS, Greece — Let the winds begin.

Add howling gales to the noise of pounding jackhammers and groaning bulldozers racing to finish the Olympic projects.

The annual winds, known as “meltemia,” are pushing over motor scooters, canceling ferries and whizzing through the ongoing Olympic construction sites to kick up clouds of eye-burning dust.

The winds are also fanning wildfires. One came within 26 miles of the Olympic Village.

Olympic organizers are hoping the meltemia runs out of steam by the Aug. 13 opening ceremony. No one wants to relive the embarrassment during rowing test events last year.

The U.S. and British teams had to abandon crafts swamped by whitecap waves on the rowing course. Organizers also shortened the course and rescheduled races for less-windy early morning hours.

Logomania

Like it or not, workers at the Olympic Organizing Committee warehouses have been told to look their best with Adidas, a major sponsor of the Athens Games.

The employees have been given two track suits to be worn at work. They were also asked to add Adidas footwear.

The only catch is that the workers have to pay for the shoes, less a 35 percent discount. The German company’s sneakers range from $73 to $183, a huge bite out of Greek worker’s salary that averages between $732 to $1,200 a month.

But Athens organizers said workers can wear their own shoes as long as they cover the name or logo.

Banner year

Three-time gold medalist Pyrros Dimas will carry the host country’s flag at the opening ceremony.

The Albanian-born weightlifter was chosen unanimously by the Hellenic Olympic Committee.

He emigrated to Greece in 1991 and competed for the country in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, where he won his first gold.

Dimas also carried the flag during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, where he won his second gold medal. He won another in Sydney.

No fan of U.S.

Outspoken Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis is being touted for the International Olympic Committee’s arts award given to host nations.

The Hellenic Olympic Committee unanimously recommended the 78-year-old composer for the honor.

He is best known outside Greece for his score to the 1964 film “Zorba the Greek,” but also gains headlines for political commentary. He has been accused of anti-Semitic remarks and has described Americans as “barbarians” and the “enemy.”