Greek Minister of State Akis Skertsos announced that the renovated Athens Olympic Sports Complex will be delivered to the public by the end of September. Writing on social media on the eve of the 22nd anniversary of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, Skertsos stated that extensive reconstruction work across the landmark venue is nearing completion.
The minister pledged that the upgraded complex, known as OAKA, will serve as a modern, safe, and accessible sports and cultural hub for citizens, athletes, and youth across the Attica basin. Skertsos acknowledged that the site had been left completely without maintenance for years following the 2004 Games, leading to severe physical decay and the degradation of critical infrastructure.
Reflecting on the 2004 Games, Skertsos recalled his pride during the event and said Greece successfully won its initial wager before the international community by hosting a successful tournament. However, he stated that the country lost its second challenge regarding post-Olympic planning. Although taxpayers funded valuable infrastructure, authorities failed to establish a timely maintenance and management strategy, which he characterized as a collective failure.
Funding and Scope of OAKA Reconstruction
A comprehensive renovation and operational upgrade program was launched in 2022 to reverse the deterioration. Skertsos revealed that securing project funding under the European Union Recovery Fund required extensive and challenging negotiations with European authorities. Project execution is supervised by the Strategic Investments Unit of the Superfund asset holding agency, the Ministry of Sports, and OAKA management.
The multi-facility overhaul includes static and functional restorations across all buildings, general energy efficiency upgrades, and structural reinforcements to building and athletic facilities. Work is also being carried out on the swimming pools, the indoor velodrome cycling facility, and new fire safety systems throughout the campus.
Crews are improving the surrounding public grounds and restoring metal structures at the site entrances, the Wall of Nations monument, and the central Agora promenade. Skertsos emphasized that modern cities require quality public spaces, green areas, and sports facilities alongside transit and housing infrastructure.
Restoration of the Calatrava Canopies
The most symbolic element of the project is the structural restoration of the twin roof canopies designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Two decades after becoming the iconic symbol of the 2004 Games, the monumental steel and glass structures required extensive static and operational intervention.
Work on the Calatrava structures involves repairing defective sections, restoring required static stability, and replacing damaged metal components and polycarbonate panels. Skertsos noted that the situation offers a broader lesson for governance, stating that the state must be evaluated on its capability to maintain public infrastructure rather than just build it.
Operational Plan and Long-Term Maintenance
To ensure the venue does not require another costly rescue campaign 20 years from now, authorities have established a permanent operation and maintenance plan for daily public use. Skertsos stressed that protecting the infrastructure created for the 2004 Games is a key national duty that Greece cannot afford to fail again.
Skertsos concluded his statement by thanking the numerous workers involved in daily operations to deliver the completed venue. His comments were reported by the state-run Athens-Macedonian News Agency (APE-MPE).
