Australia
GRAND PRIX TO STAY IN MELBOURNE AFTER NEW DEAL
The Australian Grand Prix will be staged in Melbourne until 2010 after the Australian Grand Prix Corporation signed a four-year extension of its existing deal.
SYDNEY: COUNTDOWN TO THE GAMES BEGINS
The Sydney Olympics begins its four-week countdown on Friday with Australia's largest city poised for an invasion of one million visitors. For the full story of its preparations see the `FEATURES? section of SportBusiness.com
MEDAL WINNERS SET TO BE HIT WITH TAX BILL
Competitors at this summer?s Olympic Games could find themselves picking up more than just glory if they win a medal ? a tax bill from the Australian government.
BBC SET FOR 24-HOUR OLYMPIC COVERAGE
The BBC is planning to broadcast round-the-clock coverage of the Olympic Games across its television, radio and internet platforms.
BEIJING BID FOR GLORY GAMES
Olympic fever is hotting up in Beijing, with posters plastered around subway stations, advertisements in national newspapers and passionate pledges of support in state media by everyone from taxi drivers to government leaders, but it is not Sydney they are getting worked up about, this interest is triggered by Beijing?s bid to host the 2008 Games. See the `FEATURES? section of SportBusiness.com for the full story.
BIGFANOF.COM LAUNCHES GLOBALLY
A new web site hosting the official web sites for a string of top sports men and women has been launched.
NBC/QUOKKA IN OLYMPICS MEDIA PLAYER DEAL
NBC/Quokka Ventures has signed a deal to use a new media player for its online coverage of this summer?s Olympic Games.
INTERNATIONAL ONE-DAY CRICKET MOVES INDOORS
One-day cricket will moves indoors this week for the first of a three-match series featuring Australia and South Africa, the limited overs' game's fiercest rivals.
SYDNEY SET FOR ECONOMIC GOLD
The Sydney Olympics should give a smart boost to Australian economic growth of around 1.0 percent in the September quarter, but the gains will be mostly transitory. For full details see the FEATURES section of SportBusiness.com.
ACCIDENT PUTS OLYMPIC AIRSHIP TV COVERAGE IN DOUBT
Strong winds have damaged the Goodyear Blimp, putting in doubt the airship's ability to provide key aerial television shots for next month's Sydney Olympics.
NBCOLYMPICS.COM COVERS U.S. OLYMPIC SWIMMING TRIALS
NBCOlympics.com is covering the 2000 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials from Indiana University's Natatorium (Indianapolis, Ind.) through August 16.
GERMAN BROADCASTER GOES FOR GOLD WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY
InMotion Technologies is to produce VideoFinish/SimulCam broadcast images for ZDF, the main German broadcaster for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
NEW AUSSIE SPORTS SITE GOES ONLINE
A new Australian sports web site backed by the Australian Olympic Committee has been launched with content dedicated to national sporting pride.
DEADLINE SET FOR ATHENS TV BIDS
Four television companies shortlisted for broadcasting the Athens 2004 Games must submit their final bids by September 12, the organising committee has said.
AUSSIE SITE BOXES CLEVER
A new web site is to be officially launched this week aimed at the sports fans of Australia.
AUSSIE GOLD MEDALLISTS TO BECOME "INSTANT" POSTAGE STAMPS.
The Australian Post Office is to take advantage of the popular haul of gold medals likely to be won by athletes from the host country at the Sydney Olympics
SFX AND U.S. WOMEN’S SOCCER TEAM PARTNER FOR NATIONAL TOUR
SFX Sports Group and SFX Family Entertainment are to conduct a post-Sydney 12-game women's indoor soccer tour, featuring eligible members of the 2000 U.S. Olympic team, and members of the 1999 U.S. World Cup Team.
OUR VILLAGE IS BEST EVER, SYDNEY OFFICIALS SAY
The athletes' village for the Sydney Olympics, with a dining area to serve 5,000 people at one sitting, has been acclaimed by Australian Games officials as the best ever.