Greek athletes not hampered by budget cuts

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Sports officials have said Greece has managed to send a large team to the London games despite having no budget for Olympics preparations.

At a presentation of the athletes’ new Olympics uniforms, Greece’s Sports Minister said the government budget allocated for sports is only 0.02 percent of GDP. The President of the Greek Olympic Committee said more than 100 athletes were heading to the London games, and although less than the Beijing games, it was a great feat accomplished without state funding.

State funding cuts have caused cutbacks at sports federations. Greek athletes have faced problems such as inadequate training facilities, equipment shortages, salaries not being paid, and cash prizes not being issued. Athletes said sponsors and family members were playing a major part in supporting them.