The "fading hopes" of Stockholm to host the 2004 Summer
Games "received a devastating blow [Friday] when a bomb
destroyed sections of the stadium left over from the Summer
Games of 1912," according to an AP report in the BOSTON
GLOBE. While no one was injured in the bombing, Sweden's
SVT public TV reported that the police "are convinced that
the attack is directed against Sweden's Olympic bid." The
bombing took place on the same day that Mayor Mats Hulth was
showing several IOC members around the city. On Saturday,
the headline in the local newspaper in Stockholm read "End
of the Olympic Dream," adding "After Last Night's Bomb, We
Don't Have A Chance" (AP/BOSTON GLOBE, 8/9). But SI's
Kostya Kennedy writes that it is "possible that the latest
attack will actually work in Stockholm's favor, given the
IOC's hard-line stance against terrorism." IOC Exec Board
member Kevan Gosper: "We are not put off by that sort of
behavior. On the contrary, I think it strengthens our
resolve not to let it affect the result" (SI, 8/18 issue).
ATHENS: After the World Track Championships in Athens,
Paul Gain wrote that poor attendance "has assured the event
will lose millions of dollars." Greek papers have reported
"the shortfall may run close to [US]$20-million." Gains:
"Regardless of those capital expenses, the organizers are
terribly disappointed with the low attendance" (Toronto
GLOBE & MAIL, 8/9). The FINANCIAL TIMES' Kerin Hope wrote
that the event was "blighted by overpriced tickets, poor
marketing and an apathetic local audience -- [and has]
embarrassed Greece in the final stage of its attempt to
stage the 2004 Olympic Games" FINANCIAL TIMES, 8/12).
