Fans too busy for world's oldest profession

Even as Ellie, Greek prostitutes union president, decided not to advertise her wares while the Olympics are on, fans were too busy for world's oldest profession.

Ellie is so proud to be Greek that she even closed her brothel so the girls could watch the opening ceremony at the Olympics.

HT Image

But she draws the line at giving special rates to Olympic volunteers. "I don't do discounts - and I didn't like him anyway," she said, scornfully spurning one bargain hunter.

As Greek prostitutes union president, she even decided not to advertise her wares while the Olympics are on.

"It gives the wrong image," she told Reuters, taking a cigarette break between clients in her bustling brothel.

So, when the world descended on Athens for the Games, the athletes and sports fans have not been beating a path to her door with its tell-tale light above the entrance.

"I have my clients and they are mainly Greek." she said.

Chortling at the idea, she said: "But wouldn't it have been nice if we girls had been invited into the Athletes' village. We would have turned it into an Olympic brothel!"

"We could have gone out and advertised but decided as true Greek patriots to stay low profile," said Ellie, the work name of Dimitra Kanelopoulo.

"I think the foreigners here are too busy thinking about the Olympics. Sex is not a top priority. None of the 10,000 athletes have come to my place. I think I would have been exhausted if they had," she said.