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Lately athletes in Greece are hoping for a miracle in the true sense of the word. The question bothering athletes is whether they will be able to participate in the first summer season race in the country, after intensive preparations. This seemingly strange question has no answer and time is not on the side of the athletes. The race is in few days, it will be held this weekend (May 8-9). 

The cause of the athletes being in the dark is the law the Ministry of Interior of Greece has introduced recently. According to it if athletes want to apply for jobs in the public sector, they should refrain from any sporting activity. The law was introduced in order to make those who have completed their sport careers to return to the public sector. But the decision caused a storm in sporting circles. Some even called it "tombstone" of Greek sport. According to the athletes it burdens younger generation athletes, who are still involved with sport. 

Job application in the public sector was filed not only by one star of the Greek athletics... So, the possibility of some big names missing during the season looks great... Unless a miracle happens in the last minute. Current expectations of athletes were related to changes that Interior Minister, Dimitris Ragusis had pledged to introduce. At the last moment, however, he postponed the solution. Athletes claim that this delay could cost them dearly and if there is no quick solution, they may lose the whole sports year. 

"Unfortunately this law is proof that our main enemy is the state. It is not possible for them to make us give up the sport when we have been accepted in the public sector. They are making us abandon what we love... If they accept me, I will give up the sport. I will take care of my future. Apparently they want to be without any athletes during the 2012 Olympic Games. “This is what pole vault record-holder Nicole Kiriakopoulou commented to the Greek media at the beginning of February. The athlete received a notice that if she wants to get a place in the public sector, she should withdraw from the sport within 15 days...