Sensation causes report of the British Guardian about the OAKA canopy, as it reports that officials in Greece are now discussing the possibility of dismantling the Kalatrava shelter. «Nothing is currently ruled out. Perhaps it will have to be removed,» a source with knowledge of all that is unfolding tells the Guardian.
«In 2004, the Olympic Stadium was a symbol of credibility for the Olympic Games in Athens, but security concerns made officials think the unthinkable,» writes Helen Smith in her article, referring to the scenario of the removal of the roof.
«It was a roof that symbolized Olympic glory: a giant dome of steel and white rods that «embraced» the stadium that would be the center of the 2004 Athens Games. An emblematic construction», the columnist says.
The Greeks, he adds, looked with pride at Santiago Calatrava's architectural landmark, which at the time (!) disproved the sceptics who doubted Greece's ability to host such an important event. A construction that boosted their sense of confidence for a successful event.
Twenty years later, however, the Greek people were confronted with a different narrative. The government announced that the 70,000-seat stadium would be closed «indefinitely’ because of concerns about the safety of the Kalatrava Dome.
In a study, the Hellenic Property Fund wrote that the roof «does not meet the minimum level of structural adequacy permitted by the regulations».
The Guardian also cites the problem that occurred at the nearby velodrome, which had the same fate as the OAKA.
«It would be very frivolous, I would say and joke as a politician responsible for sports in our country and not responsible to put me with an exact timetable of how the actions will be done and when will open either the bicycle rink or the stadium,» said Deputy Minister of Sports Yannis Vroutsis, asked when it will open again. He added that a new study is expected to make developments.
But on Wednesday, the publication writes, as the costs of closing the stadium began to be seen - including a sold-out Coldplay concert next year - officials began to «whisper» the unthinkable: Maybe it was time to dismantle the famous roof altogether. Rust had been found not only in the steel cables and arches, but even in the bolts holding it up. «Nothing at the moment is out of the question,» said a well-placed source. «Maybe it will have to be removed.».
