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Greece Reveals Plan for Olympic Venues


The Greek government has drafted legislation specifying how the venues used at last year's Olympics in Athens will be used - and paid for - in the future.

The Athens Games were the most expensive in history to stage. Acting Culture Minister Fani Palli-Petralia said under the government plan, Greek citizens would use the facilities, and none of the venues would be sold.

Most of the venues are to have cafes, restaurants and shops. Some hotel rooms will be added to the Agios Kosmas Olympics sailing center, and the Markopoulo Olympic equestrian center will get a golf course.

The government plans to make the former gymnastics hall into a cultural performance center. The former badminton venue has hosted several successful shows since the Games ended seven months ago.

Greece spent more than $14 billion to host last the Games and its deficit exceeded the three percent of Gross Domestic Product limit set by the European Community. The government has announced plans to raise taxes on most alcohol and tobacco products to help reduce its deficit.

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