Athens News Agency: News in English, 01-08-10

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] PM congratulates Kenderis on 200m gold (CORRECTION)

[02] Greek athlete Kenderis wins 200m gold in world championships

[03] Exchange Rates: Monday

[04] Greek athlete Kenderis wins 200m gold in world championships

[05] Weather Forecast: Sunshine on Saturday

[06] (copy) Greek stocks end lower in thin trade

[07] Greek inflation unchanged at 3.9 percent in July, yr/yr

[01] PM congratulates Kenderis on 200m gold (CORRECTION)

Prime Minister Costas Simitis sent a congratulatory telegram to Olympic medallist Costas Kenderis on Friday for his victory in the 200m race at the World Athletics Championships in Edmonton, Canada.

"Your tireless struggle, methodical preparation and, above all, your self-confidence have given you a well-earned first place," the telegram read.

Kenderis won the gold in the 200m with a time of 20.04 seconds earlier on Friday.

Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis also sent a message congratulating the athlete, noting that he had once again made the nation feel proud and giving him thanks on behalf of all Greeks.

"His performance in Edmonton and chiefly his great race today have earned Costas Kenderis a place among the top athletes in the world," he added.

In congratulations to Kenderis on Friday, Coalition of the Left leader Nikos Constantopoulos said he and his fellow athletes honoured athletics and their country through their efforts.

[02] Greek athlete Kenderis wins 200m gold in world championships (CORRECTION)

EDMONTON (ANA) - Greece's Olympic champion Costas Kenderis confirmed his world-class status on Friday with a masterful victory in the 200m race at the World Athletics Championships in Canada.

Conserving his energy in the first lap, Kenderis put on speed in the second and outstripped his rivals with several strides to spare to finish in 20.04 seconds. Second and third place were sorely contested, with three athletes coming in with a time of 20.20 seconds and two sharing the bronze.

Commenting on the winning race, coach Christos Tzekos said it had helped prove that Kenderis' medal in Sydney had not been a fluke and that the athlete was more than a 'one-race wonder'.

"We are beginning to become established as world-class Greek athletes abroad and I think we are no longer doubted," Tzekos said.

[03] Exchange Rates: Monday

Indicative buying rates

U.S. dollar 378.274

German mark 172.829

French franc 051.531

Pound sterling 539.195

Irish punt 429.202

Belgian franc 008.379

Luxembourg franc 008.379

Dutch guilder 153.389

Italian lira (100) 017.457

Austrian schilling 024.565

Danish kroner 45.420

Swedish kroner 36.823

Finnish mark 056.852

Spanish peseta 002.032

Portuguese escudo 001.686

Japanese yen (100) 309.238

Swiss franc 223.603

Norwegian kroner 042.174

Cyprus pound 589.339

Canadian dollar 245.073

Australian dollar 195.026

[04] Greek athlete Kenderis wins 200m gold in world championships (CORRECTION)

EDMONTON (ANA) - Greece's Olympic champion Costas Kenderis confirmed his world-class status on Friday with a masterful victory in the 200m race at the World Athletics Championships in Canada.

Conserving his energy in the first lap, Kenderis put on speed in the second and outstripped his rivals with several strides to spare to finish in 20 minutes 4 seconds. Second and third place were sorely contested, with three athletes coming in with a time of 20 minutes 20 seconds and two sharing the bronze.

Commenting on the winning race, coach Christos Tzekos said it had helped prove that Kenderis' medal in Sydney had not been a fluke and that the athlete was more than a 'one-race wonder'.

"We are beginning to become established as world-class Greek athletes abroad and I think we are no longer doubted," Tzekos said.

[05] Weather Forecast: Sunshine on Saturday

Sunshine and high temperatures are forecast throughout the country on Saturday, with storms or showers forming from evening in the north and west. Winds northerly, light, turning moderate in the northern Aegean. In the west and the north, temperatures will range from 19C to 37C; on the rest of the mainland from 21C to 39C; and in the Aegean islands from 24C to 34C. Sunny in Athens with temperatures between 24C and 39C. Same in Thessaloniki, with temperatures from 22C to 37C. There may be showers or storms during the night.

[06] (copy) Greek stocks end lower in thin trade

Equity prices ended lower for the fifth consecutive session this week hit by lack of fresh incentives and declining liquidity on the Athens Stock Exchange.

Traders said the market was trying to hold above the 2,600 level in the short-term amid lack of market moving news and of trading activity.

Blue chip stocks remained under pressure to record the biggest day losses, while smaller and medium capitalisation stocks showed an improved picture.

The general index ended 0.41 percent lower at 2,624.08 points, off the day's lows of 2,612.72 and the day's highs of 2,652.82 points, for a net loss of 6.48 percent in the week.

Turnover was a disappointing 96.03 million euros, or 32.72 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended at 1,466.68 points, off 0.66 percent, the FTSE/ASE 40 index fell 0.40 percent to 300.18 points, and the FTSE/ASE SMALLCAP 80 index ended at 870.57 points, down 0.51 percent.

The parallel market for smaller capitalisation stocks ended at 256.44 points, off 0.65 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 198 to 111 with another 42 issues unchanged.

[07] Greek inflation unchanged at 3.9 percent in July, yr/yr

Greece's annual inflation rate, measured by the consumer price index, was 3.9 percent in July, unchanged from the previous month, National Statistics Service said on Friday.

The NSS said that substantial declines in food and petrol prices and lower prices by mobile telephony operators in July helped in containing the inflation rate despite a 4.2 percent average increase in electricity bills and higher prices in hotels and fisheries prices.

The NSS said that the consumer price index was affected by a 11.5 percent increase in alcohol drinks and tobacco in July 2001, compared with the same month last year.

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