Greek Minister of State Akis Skertsos said an upgraded Athens Olympic Sports Complex will be delivered by the end of September following an extensive renovation program.
The announcement came on August 12 in a social media statement issued ahead of the 22nd anniversary of the opening of the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.
The site, commonly known as OAKA, is located in the northern suburb of Marousi and served as the primary venue for the 2004 Olympic Games. The complex features major sports arenas, swimming facilities, a velodrome, and public plazas.
Skertsos stated that while Greece won its international bet by hosting a successful Olympic Games in 2004, the country failed in the post-Olympic era. He called the lack of long-term planning, utilization, and systematic maintenance a collective failure that left tax-funded infrastructure exposed to decay.
A comprehensive renovation program began in 2022 to reverse years of neglect at the complex. The project is funded through the European Union Recovery and Resilience Facility following extensive negotiations with European authorities. Oversight is managed by the Strategic Investments Unit of the Superfund, the Ministry of Sports, and OAKA management.
Structural repairs and venue upgrades
The overhaul includes static and functional restorations across all buildings, energy efficiency upgrades, and structural reinforcements for sports facilities. Work is also being carried out on the swimming pools, the velodrome, and new fire protection systems.
Crews are restoring metallic structures at the site entrances, the Wall of Nations, and the Agora, alongside broad upgrades to the surrounding outdoor grounds.
A major focus of the project is the restoration of the complex roof structures designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Skertsos highlighted the iconic canopies as the most symbolic element of the renovation, noting that the architectural landmarks required extensive intervention after two decades.
Repairs on the Calatrava structures involve fixing problematic areas, restoring structural adequacy, and replacing components of the metal framework and polycarbonate panels.
Long term site management and public access
Skertsos noted that the state must be judged on its ability to maintain infrastructure rather than solely on its capacity to construct new projects. He emphasized that ensuring facilities remain safe and functional decades after inauguration is an essential responsibility.
A permanent operation and maintenance plan has already been established to ensure the complex functions daily as a modern metropolitan sports area and public park for the capital. Skertsos added that the real challenge begins after delivery to prevent the need for another costly rescue operation in 20 years, concluding with thanks to the workers involved in the restoration.
