ABSTRACT
Athens, like Barcelona, attempted to use the Olympics as a catalyst for urban change. Especially for Athens’ transport system, the Olympics provided tremendous momentum to accelerate many of the city’s transport projects. After the Games, Athens was left with an Olympic legacy encompassing a new airport, more than 100km of new and modern roads, 90km of upgraded roads, transportation accessible to all people with special needs, 9.6km of metro line extensions, 23.6km of a new trams, 32km of suburban rail, many new parking lots in various locations, new transport management systems, upgraded train stations and a new, ultra-modern traffic management center (ATHOC 2002: 121). However, Athens’ government fell short of using the Olympic catalyst entirely for the benefit of the citizens and instead accommodated Olympic peak demands. Compared to previous host cities, the IOC had the most influence on transport decision-making, which resulted in significant project alterations and Athens’ urban structure.
