Friday, Nov. 12, 2004 | 10:10 a.m.
Athens cost overrun set at $3.1 billion
The final cost of the Athens Olympics soared to about $11.6 billion -- at least $3.1 billion more than originally estimated.
The figure did not include transportation projects such as the new tram line, suburban rail network and extension of the Athens metro system to the airport, Finance Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis said today.
"The Olympic Games were an investment, but the Greek people should know how much they have cost," he said.
The previous socialist government, which lost to the conservatives in March elections, had placed the cost of the Aug. 13-29 Olympics and Paralympics that followed in September at $5.9 million. The budget of the organizing committee, which was managed as a separate company and had a separate budget of nearly $2.6 billion, would have brought that total up to about $8.51 billion.
"The cost of the Olympics Games for the state and Athens 2004 approaches ($11.6 billion). This is the immediate cost for the state and does not include expenditures for infrastructure," Alogoskoufis said after a Cabinet meeting. He did not give a figure for the infrastructure costs.
He stressed that the final tally will not be a serious burden to Greece's budget.
Park shares lead
Grace Park birdied the last three holes in a 6-under 66 that left her in a four-way tie after the first round of the LPGA Tournament of Champions at Mobile, Ala. Also at 66 were Juli Inkster, Laura Diaz and Christina Kim.
MLS gets union deal
Two days before its championship game, Major League Soccer announced it had settled with the players' union on the first collective bargaining agreement in the league's nine-year history. The pact runs through 2009 and raises minumum salaries from $24,000 to $28,000 nexst season and to $34,000 by the 2009 season. The league wraps up its season Sunday at Carson, Calif., with Kansas City playing D.C. United for the championship.
Koreans accuse coach
Two South Korean national team coaches and several senior skating officials resigned amid reports of harsh training and physical punishment on the country's acclaimed short-track speedskating team. Six top female skaters, four of them teenagers, left training camp Nov. 3 to protest alleged beatings by coaches.
U.S. coaches quit
Toshi Yoshida resigned as coach of the U.S. women's team and Doug Beal of the men's team did likewise. Yoshida is moving to his native Japan for a teaching and coaching position. Beal is becoming chief executive officer of USA Volleyball.
GM arrested
Dan Rajkowski, general manager of the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs, was put on leave pending an investigation of his arrest on charges of domestic abuse and driving while intoxicated.
Tulsa upgrades
A renovation costing between $7 million and $8 million was sapproved for the Univeristy of Tulsa's Skelly Stadium. A new locker room, coaches' offices and end-zone suites will be included in the upgrade.
Woman loses in PBA
Liz Johnson, the first woman ever to qualify for a PBA Tour event, was beatn in the round of 64 by Brad Angelo at the Uniroyal Tire Classic in Wickliffe, Ohio.
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