ATHENS, Aug. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- The Athens Olympics will leave "tremendous" legacy for the Greek people, said one senior government official here on Friday.

    Spyros Capralos, general secretary for the Olympic Games of Greek Ministry of Culture, said in an interview with Xinhua that the Athens Olympics have become "a great opportunity" for the country to improve the infrastructure, in particular with the transport section.

    "We have new roads, we have two metro lines, one new tram, one new suburban rail, and one new airport," said Capralos.

    "There are also benefits in areas not seen much like energy, telecommunication, hospital, health and construction business. Many things have happened," he added.

    But he said that "the biggest and best legacy from the Games" lies with the mentality of the Greek people.

    "We learn to work in a very difficult international environmentand to be able to deliver such a complex project as Olympics."

    Athens had been behind schedule in venues construction and warned severely by the International Olympic Committee but the host city managed an inspiring turnaround to get ready for the Games.

    "We had delay which made our work much more difficult because we had to build not only a lot of sports facilities but also the city infrastructure in a very short time," said Capralos.

    He said that the delay not only increased the cost of organizing the games but also put them under much greater pressure.

    "But at the end of the day we are all particularly happy and proud that it has finished,"

    "I think the Greek people will become much stronger, much prouder to face the future, because they realize they are able to deliver it," said Capralos.

    "This will be tremendous strength for the country in the years to come." Enditem