Even if all Greece's problem-plagued preparations are resolved before the Games' opening ceremony on August 13, the threat of disruption by industrial action looms large. Striking hotel employees, who want better pay and benefits, clashed with police in the city centre.

"Unfortunately, there are groups out there who are exploiting the Olympics as a unique opportunity to press for their demands," said Stathis Anestis, of the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE).

"We at GSEE disagree. Some of the demands, the taxi drivers for example, are especially embarrassing. Not even in the wilds of Africa would you hear such things."

Taxi drivers, who like many in the service sector hope to increase revenues markedly during the Games, are furious with Olympic organisers for renting cars and minivans for visiting officials.

Along with the decision to confine taxis to a single lane on "Olympic" roads, they say the measures will seriously dent their earnings.

"In such circumstances we should take to the streets and get the passengers out of any 'Athens 2004' vehicle we see," Ethymios Lyberopoulos, who heads one of Greece's taxi owners' unions, warned last week.

With some two million workers from 147 unions, GSEE is the country's biggest labour group but it does not include the police and fire brigade, however unions.

"We have grievances but we see it as our national duty to not cause chaos for the Games," Mr Anestis told the Guardian.

"We have therefore decided to step up our opposition against the Conservative government most vigorously after the Olympics." On Wednesday ambulance drivers threatened to stop working during the Olympics. The Ambulance Workers' Union staged a 24-hour strike for demands that include the same €2,500 (£1,600) Olympic bonus promised to security forces during the Games.

Employees at the St Sophia Children's hospital, which will serve as one of the Olympic hospitals, also staged a four-hour work stoppage demanding the Olympic bonus and that part-time staff be hired to fill vacancies.

Increasingly, Greeks are beginning to see the Games as a monumental hassle and many infuriated by the rising costs of hosting them

Yesterday the country's finance minister, Giorgos Alogoskoufis, put a figure on the increasing financial toll. The Games, he said, would probably cost about €6bn, 30% higher than previous estimates.

Unprecedented security expenses and the added financial burden of paying contractors premium prices to catch up with delayed projects have been blamed for the ballooning budget.

Ryanair extend seat sale to 27September 15/09/2004