Australia

Television companies who use digital technology to superimpose studio-generated advertising on live broadcasts have been threatened with a ban from the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

The three southern hemisphere rugby superpowers have announced they would not in future accept tours from understrength United Kingdom teams.

About a quarter of a million people will paint the streets of Amsterdam pink during the first week of August when the Dutch capital play host to the world's fifth Gay Games.

The acting Premier of Victoria, Pat McNamara, did not rule out Government intervention in a dispute between the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) and Australian Football League (AFL).

Australian watchdog, the Australian Broadcasting Authority, has announced it will review the use by commercial television company, Seven Network, of new "virtual billboard" advertising during sporting event broadcasts.

England's bid to host the World Cup in 2006 has not been damaged in the long term by the violence of their fans which blighted France 98, campaign director Alec McGivan said.

The government of Victoria, Australia, is to build an A$5million indoor-training velodrome in the suburbs to complement its $65million multi-purpose velodrome planned for Melbourne Park.

Australia will host the richest-ever golf tournament in Sydney or Melbourne in January, 2001.

Australian sports officials are hoping to bring the Goodwill Games Down Under.

THE Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games have been given a much-needed financial boost when Westpac became its first major corporate sponsor.

Brisbane's selection to host the Goodwill Games in 2001 would provide the city with its biggest event since the 1988 Expo, Queensland Premier Peter Beattie has said.

OLYMPIC organisers are set to strike a compromise deal with the critics of high-priced tickets for the Sydney 2000 Games.

Qantas has signed a one-year sponsorship deal with the Australian Grand Prix Corporation to back this year's Australian 500cc Motorcycle Grand Prix.

The Australian Commonwealth Games Association is facing is facing financial troubles, according to Melbourne newspaper The Age.

The Sydney Cricket Ground has been declared smoke free.

The head of English soccer club Crystal Palace has bought a majority share in new Australian side, Northern Spirit, it was announced on Monday.