A world away from Mugabe

The malfunctioning laundromat

The Australian contingent at the Games Village has resorted to hand washing clothes because stuff put in the laundry seems to disappear. The team has lost an astonishing number of t-shirts, singlets, trousers and track suits. One athlete is apparently down to his last pair of underpants!

And a routine bomb hoax

What’s a big event without a bomb threat these days? An anonymous phone caller had the Athens police is a blue funk when he claimed a bomb had been left at the office of the Greek Athletics Federation. A search squad, complete with sniffer dogs, was sent off at once. It uncovered a packet that contained minced meat and used syringes. A loony group called Anarchists Initiative claimed responsibility.

All roads don’t lead to Rome

It takes all types. A Jamaican journalist at the Main Press Centre here asked an Australian broadcaster how he could get to the Coliseum. ‘‘I always wanted to come to Athens, to see the place where the gladiators fought,’’ he gushed. The somewhat bemused Australian pointed out that the Coliseum was in Rome, not Athens. ‘‘Are you sure?’’ asked the disbelieving Jamaican, wandering off in search of another tourist guide.

Drink to this

Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Light are the official soft drinks of the Athens Olympics. Powerade Mountain Blast is the official sports drink of the Athens Olympics. Nestea Lemon is the official ice tea of the Athens Olympics. Amita Motion is the official juice of the Athens Olympics. Minute Maid Orange Juice and Apple Juice are the official fruit juices of the Athens Olympics. Avra is the official bottled water of the Athens Olympics. In addition, Powerade Solar Flare is a fortifying drink available solely at the Athletes’ Village.