Athens' Post-Olympic Aspirations and the Extent of their Realization

Abstract

As host to the world's largest sporting event, Athens hoped to revise its image in the eyes of the world by securing the social, economic, environmental, cultural and sporting recognition appropriate to a modern metropolis. This was not to be. Some hopes remained unfulfilled aspirations. The post-Olympic era was characterized by missed opportunities that mainly concerned the utilization of the Olympic venues, which, hampered by bureaucracy and lack of long-term planning, remained unexploited having been abandoned after the games. Nonetheless, Athens saw some of its aspirations realized: it acquired a modern transport infrastructure which reduced air pollution, an urban regeneration programme which resulted in a renovated city centre, selective upgrading of the outlying Attica districts and a boost to economic investment which increased tourism. Athenians also benefited from significant cultural events in the post-games period. However, these benefits failed to eradicate the negative impressions of Athens held by the wider world and the disappointments of unrealized aspirations as a consequence of missed opportunities.