Reopening of the Cycle Track at OAKA, subject to conditions

The possibility of the partial reopening of the Cycle Track at OAKA, subject to conditions, is documented by the 2nd Expertise Report of the experts of the Technical Chamber of Greece, which was handed over to the Deputy Minister of Sports, Yiannis Vroutsis, by the president of the TEE, Giorgos Stasinos.

Specifically, the Expertise Report allows the partial reopening of the Cycle Track, in the coming days, with a set of immediate measures:

1. Exclusion of two platforms and use only for trainings:

By blocking the two platforms, where the press functions are also hosted, among other things, the unloading of specific hangers of the roof with finds and the reduction of tensions on the neighboring hangers is achieved.

Therefore, the Cycle Track -temporarily- will be able to be used for training and not host competitions.

2. Non-use of the site in case of snowfall or strong winds:

The estimations so far from the on-site measurements of the TEE, of the real hanger forces, have been completed, but with low operating loads (without severe weather phenomena, e.g. high wind pressure), the limitation of the non-operation of the site in case of intense wind pressures (at least six Beaufort) or in case of snowfall, for reasons of avoiding risk.

3. Estimation of real hanger forces under stronger actions:

In the next two months, a permanent monitoring system will be put into operation, with scientific instruments, in continuation and extension of the practice of instrumental measurements that was followed during the expert review.

The monitoring system will record the actual loads in conditions of stronger winds or even snowfall, on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, and in the event of a significant change, the manager of the Cycle Track will be immediately informed.

This real-time structural integrity monitoring ensures that any anomalies are detected early, allowing early intervention to address potential problems.

This ensures optimal levels of safety and the strict restrictions now in place for wind pressure and snowfall will be able to be revised upwards.

4. Continuation of maintenance work:

During the on-site audit of the experts, targeted and systematic work was done to install scientific instruments and measurements in the number necessary for the audit.

The installation work of the new monitoring system, which in any case requires the use of large and medium cranes, will be combined with cleaning of the remaining cable ends and appropriate corrosion protection compatible with the original mix.

It is recalled that following a comprehensive Study on the condition of the Calatrava constructions at OAKA (for the 1st time since 2004), insufficient stability was found in the Shelters of the central Stadium and the Cycle Track and the operation of the facilities was suspended at the end of September.

Then, with the 1st Report of the TEE Experts at the end of October, which was assigned by the Minister of Sports the assessment of the Study and the next steps, the reopening of the basement of the Cycle Track, the Casimatis Hall and the administrative offices at the Stadium was allowed under conditions .

Now, with the 2nd Report, the conditions for the partial reopening of the entire Cycle Track are determined and the next TEE Reports are expected (assessment with the monitoring – organization system at the Cycle Track, assessment for the Shelter in the central Stadium, etc.).

The Deputy Minister of Sports, Yannis Vroutsis, said: “With great joy and satisfaction I received from the President of the Technical Chamber of Greece, George Stasinos, a… Christmas present! Not only for Cycling but for all Greek sports! The 2nd Expertise Report of the TEE gives us the possibility to immediately open, subject to conditions, the Cycle Track at OAKA. The difficult decision, but a responsible decision to suspend certain functions at the Olympic Complex, due to the stability problems of Calatrava Mortgages, is an act of trust in cooperation with the Technical Chamber of Greece.

Our first concern was and remains the safety of athletes, athletes and fans. Many thanks to Mr. Stasinos and his colleagues! We continue the constructive cooperation, as we also await the next Reports on everything that needs to happen, in order for all the facilities in the Olympic Stadium, the “heart” of our sport, to function again normally».