“Ah yes,” she says, “but these will all be filled in.” Well, all except one, that is. This hole is the size of a football centre-circle in the middle of the main stadium (still to be roofed). It is worth every investment, every sacrifice, every stress.” These are heartening words for London’s bid team, especially as Folias, a 53-year-old millionaire businessman-turned-politician, says that while London must expect to pay heavily for security it has a head start because it has several existing infrastructures. “If you begin from scratch, as we did, the costs will be so much that, my God, your Chancellor would commit suicide.” Folias describes his new portfolio as “the most glorious electric chair” and says that the previous government had “miscalculated” the cost of the Games, budgeted at €4.6bn.

The clock may be ticking, but Gianna Angelopoulos, president of the organising committee, insists they are beating it. The BOA chef de mission, Simon Clegg, visiting this weekend, cannot fail to be impressed.Hole lot of mystery over opening time This Wednesday sees Athens with exactly 100 days to go before the Games begin on 13 August. Three wire fences and a moat encircle the 4.2km perimeter of what is more like a small town than a village, the largest urban project in Greece, with its own fire station. His residence will be the same as the rest and, like those of the British contingent, it has already been earmarked, for security purposes And the plumbing works, because I tried it… The IOC’s head man, Jacques Rogge, won’t be exactly slumming it as one of the 16,000 Village people. Cool white marble floors and staircases, chic bedrooms, airy balconies. All mod cons are in the 366 houses and 229 three- to five-bedroomed maisonettes 35 minutes’ drive from the main stadium via an Olympics-traffic-only road Fit, almost, for a king – well, at least a president.

It is by far the finest of the dozen (summer and winter) I have seen – and it is ready. “We always deliver on time – even if on time means the night before.”Rogge happy to be with Village peopleWhatever moans and groans may emanate from British competitors during the Games, there surely can be no complaints about the Olympic Village. Now the overrun is expected to exceed a further billion, the very sum of security costs “This is an investment for Greece for decades to come. A successful Olympics will promote the image of Greece around the world, and that is priceless.” He also promises that despite construction hitches deadlines will be met.

They have brought us new roads, a new airport and a new transportation system. Every city which believes it has the capacity to hold an Olympics should try to do so. It starts four years ago when Richardson, a feisty Yorkshire lass who buys and sells horses for a living, was given instructions by a client to buy some potential broodmares, the cheaper the better. “Go for it,” says the Deputy Finance Minister Christos Folias, who has taken over responsibility for the Olympic budget “Whatever the cost, it is worth it The Olympic Games are the gift of the century.