ATHENS The company overseeing Athens 2004 Olympic projects has shortlisted four consortia to build the Athletes' Village, a high level official said on Monday.

Athens organizers have been under pressure from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to speed up the construction of infrastructure and venues.

The IOC told organizers after an inspection visit in February that Greece had no time to lose and that the six months to August were crucial.

A total of 2,300 houses will be built to house the athletes at the foot of Mount Parnitha north of the Greek capital. The village will be made up of 980 two-bedroom apartments and 1,320 three-bedroom apartments.

Each of the four consortia has budgeted around 25 billion drachmas ($66 million) for the project.

"There will be final award announcements in the coming days," the official told Reuters.