Athens Olympics chief angered by US complaints

Athens Olympic Games chief Gianna Angelopoulos has warned American regulators back off from policing ancient Greek culture after U.S. viewers complained that the Athens Olympics opening ceremony featured lewd nudity.

"Far from being indecent, the opening ceremonies were beautiful, enlightening, uplifting and enjoyable," Angelopoulos wrote in a weekend commentary in the Los Angeles Times titled "Since When is Greece's Culture Obscene?"

"Greece does not wish to be drawn into an American culture war. Yet that is exactly what is happening," she wrote in the article.

Angelopoulos warned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) watchdog not to punish NBC television that aired the Athens Games.

Male nudity, a woman's breast and simulated sex were the subjects of complaints about the opening ceremony on August 13 which were posted by the FCC on its website.

Complaints focused on a parade of actors portraying naked statues. Among them were the Satyr and the nude Kouros male statues, both emblems of ancient Greece's golden age.

Created by modern Greek dancer Dimitris Papaioannou and broadcast in the United States by NBC, the opening ceremony was credited with giving the Games a vitally successful start.

"We also showed a couple enjoying their love of the Greek sea and each other. And we told the history of Eros, the god of love. Turning love, yearning and desire into a deity is an important part of our contribution to civilization," Angelopoulos continued.

The FCC, whose authority only extends to U.S. media, has said it is looking into complaints, nine of which were listed on its website, but it was not clear whether a formal investigation would be launched.

Source: Xinhua