Preliminary investigation into OAKA stadium shutdown ordered by Athens prosecutor

A preliminary investigation was ordered by Athens first instance prosecutor Antonis Eleftherianos after the government's decision to suspend all sporting and cultural activities at the Olympic Athletic Center of Athens' (OAKA) Olympic Stadium and the Velodrome due to public safety concerns, it was reported on Saturday.

Eleftherianos cited a study which appears to indicate that the metal construction at OAKA's Velodrome does not meet the required levels of static efficiency, it was added.

The prosecutor has ordered that what should be investigated - over an expected five-year period - is what were the manufacturer's precise recommendations for maintenance and whether those were duly followed; if there were recommendations from other bodies for periodic maintenance and if so, to whom they were they submitted and what was their outcome; what was the reasoning that gave rise to the current study which revealed the structural problems.

The preliminary investigation will be carried out by prosecutor Nikolaos Margaritis, who is expected to focus, among other issues, on exposing the public to danger and violation of building safety rules.