Posted on January, 11 2001

Brussels, Belgium - Plans for a rowing and canoeing centre for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games at a coastal wetland violate EU nature conservation law, WWF, the conservation organization, warned today.

Greece will violate the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive if plans to construct an Olympic rowing and canoeing centre at Schinias go ahead. The site is the most important coastal wetland in the Attica region of Greece and one of the few remaining wetlands of this type in the country. Currently, it is home to 176 species of birds, many rare and endemic species of flora, one rare and endemic fish species and one of only three remaining 'Umbrella Pine' forests in Greece - a habitat classified by the European Union as endangered and a priority for protection. It is also an important historic site where the Battle of Marathon was fought in 490 BC.

"This site is of great ecological and cultural importance," said Sandra Jen, WWF's European Spaces and Species Policy Officer. "It should not be used as a construction site for Olympic facilities. Instead it should be protected under the Habitats Directive to conserve this important part of Europe's heritage."

In an effort to make the Olympics development plans appear environmentally friendly, the Greek government has designated the site a National Park, within which the Olympic rowing and canoeing centre will be built. "The size and scale of the proposed construction is not compatible with the conservation of the area and is unthinkable in a national park" said Demetres Karavellas, Chief Executive of WWF Greece. A number of alternative venues have been suggested including Lake Yliki which is within the 100km-range set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and is well connected to the national highway network.

WWF is asking the European Commission to ensure that:

� EU regional funds used for any Olympic-related construction are conditional on compliance with EU nature conservation legislation;

� The Greek government designates Schinias for protection under the Habitats Directive - as recommended by the scientists advising the European Commission - and the Birds Directive;

� The site is conserved in a way compatible with the Habitats and Birds Directives, and the Greek government is taken to the European Court of Justice if it fails to do so.

WWF is also calling on European Commissioner Barnier to investigate the matter in his capacity as a member of the International Olympic Committee.

For more information:

Julian Scola, Press Officer, WWF European Policy Office, tel: +32 2 743 8806, jscola@wwfepo.org

Alexandra Chaini, Communications Officer, WWF Greece, tel: +32 2 743 8806 and +30 944 25 54 64 (8-12 January) or +30 1 331 4893, a.chaini@wwf.gr