ATHENS SET FOR NEW BASKETBALL STADIUM

"This is not just something we are thinking about, but the government itself as well," an ATHOC source said. Prime Minister Costas Simitis said last week the site of the Hellenikon international airport would be turned into a large park after it shut down later this year. The basketball qualifying rounds were recently scrapped from the Peace and Friendship stadium. The finals are scheduled at the Olympic stadium. Talks between Athens Games organisers (ATHOC) and the international basketball federation (FIBA) on the new stadium sparked a heated reaction from the Greek Basketball Federation (EOK). "What do we need a third large stadium in Athens for?" EOK president George Vassilakopoulos said. "Who will pay for its maintenance." Vassilakopoulos criticised ATHOC for reshuffling venues including basketball and for not sticking to its winning bid file. "The organisers are juggling around with venues without even consulting the government," Vassilakopoulos said. Games organisers have already shifted a number of sporting events to the Hellenikon after the government cancelled plans to develop the current Faliron horse racing track into a multi-sports complex for the Olympic Games. Fencing, boxing, judo and taekwondo as well as the handball qualifying rounds have been moved to sites to be built at the Hellenikon. Reuters