nearly 600 old olive trees were felled in Athens to make way for the Equestrian Centre for the Olympic Games 2004. Naturally, the greens are up in arms. But the organisers of Athens 2004 Olympics have assured them that the trees will be kept in a garden centre and will be replanted within the Olympic Equestrian Centre early in 2004. Nobody will know the difference.

This is the largest operation of its kind in the country and will cost three times less than buying new trees for the site.

Earlier, to cope with the increased water demands during the Games, the Athens Water Authority had pleaded with the organisers to plant no thirsty trees in the largely barren Greek capital.