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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Roof all set as scramble continues

Associated Press

As the Olympic stadium roof finally rolls into place, crews labor in the sun — digging, pouring and flattening concrete, working feverishly to finish all the other work at the main complex in Athens.

The complex, known as OAKA, is undergoing massive refurbishment after years of clogged traffic, construction dust and humiliating delays leading to the Aug. 13-29 Games.

Last week, the urgent concern was whether the steel-and-glass roof would be in place on time. Now that the first arch is positioned, the focus has shifted to the rest of the work.

“Even if the roof has been sliding, there is still a lot to do but … I can really witness the progress — the trees, the marble around,” said Denis Oswald, the chief International Olympic Committee overseer for Athens. “They are working everywhere, and everywhere at the same time.”

Apart from track and field, OAKA will host tennis, basketball finals, gymnastics, swimming and cycling as well as the opening and closing ceremonies.

USOC says security’s fine

With the Athens Games just 91 days away, U.S. Olympic officials expressed confidence in security and reiterated their commitment to sending a full 550-member team to Greece.

“The threat of terrorism to affect the Olympic Games and our country … we don’t want to bow before that threat,” said Jim Scherr, chief executive of the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Scherr’s feelings were echoed by USOC president Bill Martin, who told reporters that pulling the Americans out of the Olympics over security concerns was never an issue.

“We’ve had absolutely zero meetings ever” on the subject, Martin said. “As of today, there is no question that we are planning to send our entire team.”

• Olympic security will be the main item on the agenda when President Bush and Greek Premier Costas Caramanlis meet at the White House next week.

“I think the Olympics is a big issue,” Thomas Miller, the U.S. ambassador to Greece, said.

Wilson planning for nationals

Blaine Wilson has a message for anyone who thought his gymnastics career was over when he tore his biceps in February.

Think again.

Less than three months after tearing his left biceps muscle completely off the bone, Wilson is back training for all six events. He plans to compete in two or three events at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships June 2-5 in Nashville, Tenn., and expects to be at full strength in time for the Olympic trials three weeks later.

“Everybody thought, ‘Wilson’s done. Wilson’s done,’ ” the five-time U.S. champion said. “We’ll see.”

The top two finishers at Olympic trials automatically make the U.S. squad. The final four members will be chosen at a selection camp in July.