Sport
As if Athens’ cultural and architectural achievements are not enough, the city can also boast the modern Olympic Games and the marathon among its lasting legacies. Panhellenic athletic contests were held in Athens from the fourth century BC and reinstated as the modern Olympic Games in 1896. After the initial disappointment of seeing the millennium Olympic Games go to Sydney, Athens is preparing to welcome the Games home again in 2004. The marathon commemorates the Greek soldier Phidippides who ran 42km (26 miles) from the battlefield at Marathon to Athens, to announce Greek victory over the Persians (490BC). He delivered his one word message – ‘Nenikamen’ (we have won) – and then collapsed and died. The annual Athens Marathon retraces his footsteps from the battleground to the 1896 Olympic Stadium.
Although the Greek national team has not seen much success in recent years, football is by far the nation’s favourite sport. In the domestic league, the local giants are Panathanaďkós (website: www.pao.gr) and AEK (website: www.aek.com) in Athens and Olympiakós (website: www.olympiakos.gr) in Piraeus. The season runs from September to June and most major football matches are played at the Athens Olympic Stadium, Athens Olympic Sports Complex, Maroussi. Basketball and volleyball are also hugely popular.
Individual venue ticket offices sell tickets for national sporting events, while SEGAS, Syngrou 137 (tel: 210 935 9302 or 9346; website: www.segas.gr), sells tickets to international events. The Olympic Committee (tel: 210 200 4000; website: www.athens.olympic.org) provides information on the forthcoming 2004 Olympic Games.
The General Secretariat of Sports, Panepistimiou 25 (tel: 210 329 4227; website: www.sport.gov.gr), provides information on sport in Athens.
Fishing: There are plenty of opportunities for sea fishing in the Aegean Sea. Details can be obtained from the Anglers and Maritime Sports Club in Piraeus (tel: 210 451 5731).
Golf: There is a professional (18-hole, 72-par) golf course at Glyfada. The Glyfada Golf Course, Kypros/15 Panopis, Glyfada (tel: 210 894 6820; website: www.glyfadagolf.gr), is open Tuesday to Sunday from 0730 until sunset and Monday from 1300 to sunset. Membership is not required and admission costs €70 on weekdays and €82 on weekends. A handicap card is requested.
Horseracing: The Faliro Ippodromo racetrack is located at the end of Syngrou (tel: 210 942 6331). There is racing on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1700 in summer and 1500 in winter.
Riding: The Attikos Riding Club (tel: 210 662 6429) is based at Alopekis 5A, Kolonáki.
Running: The Athens Marathon (website: www.athensmarathon.com) provides the opportunity to run along the original marathon route. It takes place twice a year and details can be obtained from SEGAS, Syngrou 137 (tel: 210 935 9302 or 9346; website: www.segas.gr).
Sailing: The Hellenic Yacht Brokers & Consultants Association (tel: 210 453 3134) can provide a list of over 50 charter companies offering yachts for hire. Information on races and clubs is available from the Hellenic Sailing Federation (tel: 210 323 5560).
Swimming: The best beaches are located at Glyfada, Vouliagméni and Varkiza.
Tennis: Tennis courts are open to visitors at the Glyfada Golf Course, Kypros/15 Panopis, Glyfada (tel: 210 894 6820), and the Athens Tennis Club (tel: 210 923 2872).
Windsurfing: All GNTO-run beaches have windsurfing equipment for hire. The Hellenic Windsurfing Association (tel: 210 323 0068) can provide more information.
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