Athens will not jeopardise Olympics for euro rules

In an interview with the EUobserver, the Greek finance minister, Giorgos Alogoskoufis, has insisted there is no way his government will scrimp on costs relating to the Olympics, despite massive overspending that threatens to bring Athens into conflict with EU budget rules.

"There is no way that we will jeopardise the Olympics for this reason", said Mr Alogoskoufis. "We are looking at other areas of public expenditure...not the Olympics".

"[We are] not touching either the preparat...