Greek Playboy embarrasses Athens organisers

The Athens Olympics organisers tried to ban this month's Greek edition of Playboy, objecting to an article featuring naked women, sports equipment, the Olympic rings and headlines like "Go For A Sexathlon Gold".

The magazine's lawyer said on Friday a Greek court had refused an injunction which Games organisers said they sought to protect their trademarked symbols and a suggestive reworking of the Olympic motto "Faster, Higher, Stronger".

The magazine remains on sale at Athens news stands.

Sandwiched between glossy, statuesque nudes in sporting poses, the article offers tips on how to achieve "2004 Seconds Of Ecstasy" and "Improve Your Personal Best In Bed".

Editor-in-chief Giorgos Kyparissis said many of the pictures in question were not new but reprints of widely published shots by celebrated international photographers.

"There is no case of us ridiculing the Games or the Olympic symbols. In actual fact we dedicate many serious articles to the event in the magazine," he told Reuters.

"We are just having a bit of fun".