Greece, the country famous for smashing plates and um, other things will be staging the 2004 Paralympics and their government are making sure the event is a huge success. Although they have a lot of work to do in a short space of time if they want to cater for disabled people's needs.

One of the issues which has to be looked at is transport to and from the games themselves as very few Greek buses are adapted for wheelchair access and no taxis have any adjustments. Prime Minister, Costas Simitis had a meeting with organizing committee boss Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki to raise the concerns and have come to an agreement that £17 million will be spent on improving disabled facilities on the stadium, transport and local hotel accommodation

Greek government spokesman Tilemachos Chytiris commented, "Every family with a disabled person must be able to call a taxi for its transport. This isn't possible today, and I'm ashamed to say it."

Time is not on their side however as the International Olympic Committee officials are paying a visit on October 22nd to check that the plans are acceptable not only for disabled access, but for the games in general. These include a tram system, a football stadium and a revamped coastline. It's crucial that the government and the Olympic authorities meet the standard requirements before the visit.

The Stadium isn't the only Greek landmark that will have more disabled facilities as the historic Acropolis will have wheelchair access from January.

COMPETITION: Wanna win tickets for Grease when it tours the UK later this year? Just E-MAIL us the name of the two official Olympic mascots pictured on the left.Tell us your town & if you need wheelchair access by December 1st.

Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotoueorge has been asked to compose the Official Olympic song because his family are Greek. You may know him better as George Michael. So the singer will be happy to know that the new-look stadium will have disabled toilets with bars to hang on to!