ATHENS, Greece (AP) A recent political cartoon showed images of lanky Olympic runners on an ancient urn. Trailing behind - sweating and struggling to keep up - was the stubby figure of Greek Premier Costas Simitis.

Two years before the Olympics return to their birthplace, planners for the Athens Games have no time to waste.

"We have to be demanding," said Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, head of the 2004 organizing committee.

Earlier, the biggest worry was whether Athens could build the venues in time for the games. Pressure from the International Olympic Committee and the government moved plans into high gear, easing concerns.

But new questions are swirling around a single theme: Is Athens too overcrowded and too overwhelmed to handle the games smoothly?

Transportation plans remain sketchy. The IOC and the rest of the huge Olympic entourage have swallowed up virtually all of Athens' best hotel space. Spectators could be left far from Athens or in rented apartments around a city with notorious traffic and spotty mass transit.

A recent poll suggested nearly three-quarters of Athenians were not inclined to rent their homes for the Olympics. Meanwhile, 67.6 percent said they expected to stay in the capital during the games - Aug. 13-29 - rather than flee the city during the traditional August holiday period and ease traffic.

Placing spectators on Greek islands - as suggested by organizers - poses complications that cannot be remedied. August brings high winds to the Aegean Sea, and ferries are often canceled.

IOC inspectors realize the potential pitfalls and have asked for revised plans from organizers.

"It will be a race against the clock until the end," said the IOC's Denis Oswald. "I don't think we will be able to relax at any time and just be confident that it will happen and go well. It will be a struggle."

That's nothing new for Athens organizers.

Since being awarded the games in 1997, organizers have faced one storm after another - top management shake-ups, bickering and construction delays that drew the public wrath of the normally diplomatic IOC.

A best barometer of the preparations is believed to be Jacques Rogge, the chief Athens supervisor until becoming IOC president last year. For the moment, he seems satisfied.

"Things are moving well," Rogge said. "There is no time to lose. There are difficulties like in all organizing committees. It's never easy, but overall we are satisfied and if the general organization continues at the same speed then we will have excellent games."

Oswald described staging the Olympics as a vast puzzle.

"If one piece is missing, then you have a problem ... So any element is important," he said.

Some pieces of the puzzle might be shrinking.

Delays could force some venues to be scaled back, including one of the beach volleyball courts, a field hockey stadium and a baseball diamond.

"I believe that some giants should have been reduced," said Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, a top government official dealing directly with Olympic planning.

But Angelopoulos-Daskalaki said no changes will occur without the approval of international sports federations and the IOC.

The first Olympic test event - a sailing regatta - is scheduled Aug. 15-23.

The IOC is pressing hard to make sure Athens does not fall behind with the other test events, which are vital to allow sports federations time to make any needed changes before the Olympics.

"We have to make sure now that the different projects are finished, they are finished on time, they are tested," Oswald said.

Security at the games is also a concern.

Athens has budgeted a record $650 million for security, and is receiving advice from Australia, Britain, France, Germany, Israel, Spain and the United States.

The primary worry is international terrorism. But Greek authorities recently struck back against one potential threat: the domestic November 17 group that has carried out dozens of attacks in the past 27 years. Among its 23 victims were four Americans and two Turks.

A series of arrests followed a failed bombing in late June in which a suspected member was injured. A number of arrests followed, including some of the group's suspected leaders.

But a statement from November 17 published July 31 claimed the group was "still alive."

"We are very pleased in the breakthrough in the fight against terrorism ... Security is the No. 1 issue at the games," Rogge said. "I am very grateful for what the Greek government has done, but, of course, all efforts must continue."

On the Net:

Athens 2004 Organizing Committee: www.athens2004.gr

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