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How did the 2004 Olympic Games change Athensās airport, metro, tram system, and sports venues?
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Athens
The Acropolis and surrounding area, Athens.
To prepare for the 2004 Olympic Games, Athens undertook a massive infrastructure improvement program to address long-standing issues with traffic congestion and air pollution.12
- Airport: A new international airport, Athens International Airport, was completed in 2001 east of the city center.12
- Metro and Tram: The metropolitan transit system was significantly expanded, adding 17 miles (27 km) of track and 28 new stations before the opening ceremony. Additionally, a new tram system was implemented to improve urban mobility.12
- Sports Venues: The city constructed several new sports venues to host the Games. While these projects were completed in time for the opening ceremony, some critics and observers have noted that many of these specialized installations were difficult to maintain after the event, with some falling into disuse or disrepair in the years that followed.134
These improvements collectively transformed the city's transportation landscape, helping to reduce the severe traffic and pollution that had previously hindered the city's development.2