The Venue

The City of Nikaia

Nikaia, a suburb of Piraeus, began as one of the many communities that sprung up after 1922 all over Greece by refugees fleeing from Asia Minor. The actual foundation stone of a new settlement of 6390 families was laid on 18 June 1923 and was originally named Nea Kokkinia, as part of the municipality of Piraeus. Nea Kokkinia was officially declared an independent municipality in 1934. The town was renamed in 1940 after Nicaea of Bithynia, in Asia Minor. Nikaia had a population of 93,086 at the latest census of 2001.

The 2003 IWF Grand Prix "Tofalos-Kakousis" will be the inaugural event of the new "Weightlifting House", constructed specially for the 2004 Olympic Games in the Piraeus suburb of Nikaia. The complex comprises of two buildings: the Competition Hall and the Hostel.

The Competition Hall, covering a total of 24,000 sq. metres, has a main arena with a capacity of 5,000 spectators, as well as warm-up halls, two large and four smaller training halls, rest areas, changing rooms, a medical and physical therapy centre, sauna and massage rooms, special areas for coaches and referees, and executive offices for International Weightlifting Federation and Hellenic Weightlifting Federation officials. The incorporated Press Centre includes facilities for producing and broadcasting of TV & Radio programmes.

The hostel building covers 3,500 sq. metres and includes single and double rooms, as well as executive suites for officials, with a total capacity of 60 persons. It affords views of the Saronic Gulf and includes a foyer and restaurant.

The complex will host the weightlifting events of the 2004 Olympic Games. It is located at a distance of 18 kilometres from the Olympic Village.