It's important not to blame the contractors. The British media in particular has followed the construction fiascos with gusto. But the last-minute dash to the finish line isn't down to bungling builders. It's been mostly caused by a bewilderingly inefficient procurement process.
Greek officials haven't handled the criticisms very well, either, blaming it on an imagined agenda to humiliate the Greek nation. For a people famous for its myths, this takes the cake.
Not that the contractors are above reproach. They could certainly do with tightening up site security. A Times reporter spent a couple of hours wandering unchallenged last month around the main stadium, which was still under construction. Only five days before this, Chechen president Akhmad Kadyrov was killed by a bomb lodged in a concrete beam under his seat in a Grozny stadium. It had been planted at some point before the event and was detonated remotely or by a timer.
The good thing is that, barring some catastrophe beyond anybody's control, the games will take place. The cream of the world's athletes will bring glory – or humiliation – to their countries. Television networks will reap the benefits of higher ratings. Corporate sponsors will strut in the fleeting glare of global attention.
The contractors, however, aren't likely to be basking in the glow of their Olympian efforts in getting the job done. If swimmers and spectators get a tad warm, if the roof gets stuck, if the landscaping's a little rough and security's not as robust as everyone might like, people will roll their eyes and blame the builders.
But at least when officials say, "Let the games begin", they will, fingers (and toes) crossed, begin.
Source
Construction Manager
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