Greek fires approach Olympics birthplace, force beach rescue A major fire near ancient Olympia — where the Olympics were held for more than a millennium — has forced evacuations as Greece faces a record heat wave. Credit: AP Author: THANASSIS STAVRAKIS and NICHOLAS PAPHITIS (Associated Press) Published: 3:21 PM CDT August 4, 2021 Updated: 3:21 PM CDT August 4, 2021 Greece evacuated people in boats from an island beach Wednesday amid heavy smoke from a nearby wildfire and fire crews fought elsewhere to keep flames away from the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games as the country sweltered under a record heat wave. With over 100 wildfires burning in Greece, the European Union sent assistance to it and other southeast Europe countries grappling with huge wildfires. The help came a day after another major blaze burned more than 100 homes and businesses near the Greek capital of Athens.