Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 04-08-28

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From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.

CONTENTS

[01] COLIN POWELL POSTPONED HIS VISIT TO ATHENS

[02] PRAISES BY THE IOC

[03] MOSAIC OF GREEK MOMENTS

[04] A SEGAS MEMO "BURNS" TZEKOS

[05] SYDNEY PLUS 2

[01] COLIN POWELL POSTPONED HIS VISIT TO ATHENS

US Secretary of State Colin Powell will visit Greece some time in the first two weeks of October.

Mr. Powell sent a letter to Greek Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis informing him that it will be impossible for him to be in Athens for the Olympic Games closing ceremony due to issues that have arisen in Iraq and Sudan that need his immediate attention.

He also mentions that among the issues to be discussed in his visit to Athens will be Turkey's accession into the EU as well as the issue of Cyprus, the Balkans and the prospects in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The US Secretary of State also congratulated the Greek government because it managed to organize safe and spectacular Olympic Games.

Mr. Powell mentions that Greece can be deeply proud for the international recognition it has won by hosting successful Olympic Games, pointing out that the government and everybody who worked for the success of this effort deserve a gold medal.

[02] PRAISES BY THE IOC

IOC Director of Communication Giselle Davies characterized as absolutely successful the Athens Olympic Games, stressing that she expects the Olympic Games closing ceremony to be as successful.

Ms. Davies underlined that she is certain that Athens 2004 will continue its efforts until the end of the games, adding that the atmosphere is exceptional and stressing that the people applauded warmly which is something you cannot find very often.

The last phrase of IOC President Jacques Rogge in the Athens Olympic Games closing ceremony is expected to be a great surprise.

Back in Sydney, Juan Antonio Samaranch had stated that they were the best games ever, however, Mr. Rogge has underlined that he will avoid using phrases already said by his predecessor.

[03] MOSAIC OF GREEK MOMENTS

The Olympic Games closing ceremony will begin with a spectacular fireworks display on Sunday night before the dancing and the singing that will mark the conclusion of the 28th Olympic Games in Athens.

The Greek folklore customs will come alive again in a mosaic of Greek images taken from a traditional wedding, the celebration that follows, the sad goodbyes and the joy of love, while thousands of golden wheatears will flood the Olympic Stadium in Athens.

The procession, different from that in the opening ceremony, will have no rules and all athletes together will participate in the celebration.

Greece's color-bearer will be weightlifter and many times Olympic medallist Pirros Dimas.

[04] A SEGAS MEMO "BURNS" TZEKOS

Based on press reports, a memo by SEGAS, the Hellenic Amateur Athletic Association, to the World Track and Field Federation, IAAF, and three letters burn coach Christos Tzekos accused of anti-doping violation, because they reveal that the coach of Greek sprinters Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou had been informed at 6.30 pm in the afternoon of August 12 that the IOC was looking for the two athletes to test them for drugs in the Olympic Village.

According to information, there are favorable evidence on Kenteris and Thanou as it appears that there are documents that prove that the two had visited a doctor in Germany when they were being looked for to undergo a drug test in Chicago.

[05] SYDNEY PLUS 2

The presence of the Greek athletes in the 28th Olympic Games in Athens is characterized as totally successful just one day before the games end.

The Greek Olympic Team counts a total of 15 medals, two more compared to Sydney's Olympic Games.

Another medal will come later today from Elli Mistakidou, who qualified for the final of the Women's Taekwondo (67 kg).

In Men's Freestyle Wrestling, Greece's Kardanov was defeated in the semifinal and will battle for the bronze medal.

The Men's Greek National Basketball team occupied the 5th place in the Olympic Tournament repeating the success it had achieved in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. The Greek players wanted to do better but stated that they are optimistic about the future.

At 10 pm this evening, the Women's 4x400 Relay team will run in the final aiming to win a good position.

Yesterday, Mirela Manjani won the bronze medal in the Women's Javelin Throw. In a scheduled press conference today she said that she will be present in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing to win another medal.

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