Australia

Organisers of the XIII Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada, are confident of working out "some hiccups and bumps" ahead of the third largest multi-sport event ever staged in North America.

Satellite providers NTL and Williams Vyvx Services have announced an alliance to deliver comprehensive occasional video services to the global broadcasting community.

Juan Antonio Samaranch, president of the International Olympic Committee, has called a crisis meeting of the IOC Executive Board to discuss the use of drugs in sport.

The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) may sell naming rights to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for $A6m a year.

Brazil has said it would bid to stage the 2006 World Cup, and immediately received the backing of the South American Football Confederation (CSF).

Packaged television sport for a global cable audience has ensured the immediate future of the Goodwill Games.

World rugby's governing body has failed to promote the sport outside its traditional strongholds and is in dire need of a serious shape-up, former Australian hero David Campese has said.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will seize approximately $A2 million in back payments and fines from clubs within the Australian Football League (AFL).

The International Olympic Committee have confirmed that IBM will conclude their association with the Olympic games after Sydney 2000.

Australian broadcaster Seven Network is reported to be offering one and two-year advertising packages to potential Olympic telecast sponsors for A$7.5 million and A$13.5 million respectively.

Reports from Australia say construction work on the $615 million Olympic stadium could halt if the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) does not sign a proposed seven-year hiring contract.

Australian cricket chiefs have imposed tough new regulations on players with the introduction of a racial and religious vilification code and a drug testing policy.

NEC Australia has signed a sponsorship deal with the Western Bulldogs AFL team.

The New South Wales Police Chaplaincy Service will oversee religious observance and cater for the spiritual needs of Olympic athletes during the Sydney 2000 games.

Two of Australia's best-known basketball teams, the North Melbourne Giants and the South-East Melbourne Magic are to merge as the Titans.

Olympic leaders are to meet to discuss drug cheating in world sport.

Great Britain have put their name to a new body governing international rugby league - the Rugby League International Federation.

Great Britain will stage the next rugby league World Cup in 2000, it was announced in Sydney. The newly-formed Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) has put in place a calendar of events covering the next three years.