Olympia event scrapped after archaeologists intervene (Athens)

An international athletics meeting at the birthplace of the Olympic Games in the ancient stadium of Olympia has been scrapped after scientists vetoed the plan for fear it could damage the historic site.

The event scheduled for mid-May and conceived by the Greek Olympic Committee (HOC), had been backed by the International Olympic Committee and the International Association of Athletics Federations as a means to promote athletics worldwide.

"The meeting is canceled. It cannot go ahead if we have to use some other stadium for the events," an HOC official told Reuters on Saturday.