The World Swimming Federation (FINA) on Thursday disassociated itself completely from what it said were wrong and unauthorised comments by a press official that Greek Olympic organisers should scrap plans to build a roof for the aquatic centre.

Broadcasters warned this week that a planned roof did not cast enough shadow to guarantee top-quality television pictures from one of the most popular Olympic sports.

FINA President Mustapha Larfaoui, who was in Athens for an inspection of Olympic facilities, said the federation believed the roof was essential for the conduct of events.

"We need the roof for everyone involved and are very optimistic it will be ready on time," Larfaoui told Reuters. "We are very happy with the facilities we have seen on our tour."

Earlier on Thursday, FINA press commission member Elena Vaytsekhovskaya said the roof was the least of organisers' problems.

"If they manage to get water in the pool then we'll be happy," Vaytsekhovskaya told Reuters.

But Larfaoui said: "This official has no right to speak on FINA matters and indeed she says her comments were not made."

The diving venue is located in the main Olympic complex and is surrounded on all sides by construction work.

The 2004 swimming events will be held at an outdoor arena while the diving will be at the adjacent indoor complex.

The last time Olympic swimming was staged outdoors was at Barcelona in 1992.

Games organisers are rushing to complete several sports venues less than six months before the Olympics in August.

Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, the government's top Olympics official, told reporters this week there was a problem with the planned roof.

"An alternative solution which will be completed by June," he said.

Venizelos rejected suggestions that the government should have detected the problem earlier.

"I must remind you that we are under no obligation to cover the swimming centre, it is just that we want to be better than our contractual obligations," he told reporters after a cabinet meeting.

The latest concerns over the aquatic centre roof come just days after government assurances that a 150 million euro glass and steel dome over the nearby Olympic Stadium would be ready on time.

Venizelos said the dome, designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, would be the "architectural monument of the Olympics."