Australia
PROTECTING THE GAMES: SYDNEY?S SECURITY
For sponsors and broadcasters, the security surrounding the Sydney Olympics is vital ? for their investment of millions of dollars, they want to ensure no blemish on sport?s premier occasion. Check out the `FEATURES? section of SportBusiness.com for full details of how Sydney plans to protect the Games.
STADIUM SET FOR WORLD RECORD CROWD
Australian Rugby Union (ARU) officials are predicting a world record crowd of 109,000 for Saturday's Tri-nations rugby clash between Australia and New Zealand at Sydney's Olympic Stadium.
SUPER 12 EXPANSION PLANS DELAYED
A meeting of the southern hemisphere's top rugby officials has ended with a decision not to expand next year's Super 12 competition.
SPORTS PORTAL RAISES $11m IN LATEST FUNDING DRIVE
SportsYA! the Spanish and Portugese-language sports portal has secured a capital investment of $11million in its latest round of financing.
ADIDAS DENIES AMBUSH ALLEGATIONS
Sportswear firm adidas is denying accusations of ambush marketing ? despite stepping up its Olympic-based advertising campaign in Australia.
SEVEN ENHANCES THE OLYMPICS, VIRTUALLY
Australia?s Seven Network has unveiled a host of added-value enhancements to its coverage of this summer?s Olympic Games.
CRICKETER REVEALS NEW MATCH-FIX APPROACH
Australian test cricketer Ricky Ponting has said he was once offered money by a bookmaker to reveal information on his team and the weather.
SYDNEY PASSES FINAL IOC INSPECTION WITH FLYING COLOURS
Sydney passed its final inspection before this year's Summer Olympics with flying colours, winning rave reviews from the International Olympic Committee for its preparations.
ENVOY TO DISCUSS TAIWAN, BEIJING CO-HOSTING FOR 2008 GAMES.
A representative of Taiwan?s Olympic Committee is to meet mainland China?s sports officials to discuss the feasibility of Taipei co-sponsoring the 2008 Olympics with Beijing.
SPANISH SIDES WANT ONE PLAYER PER CLUB AT OLYMPICS
Scheduling conflicts between professional soccer and the IOC over soccer player availability for the Olympic Games in Sydney have provoked Spanish clubs to take unilateral action on the issue.
IOC GIVES SYDNEY SEAL OF APPROVAL
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) have given a thumbs up to prepartions so far for the Sydney 2000 Games saying they were a model for future host cities.
NBC SEES NEARLY $1 BILLION IN OLYMPIC AD SALES
NBC expects to sell nearly $1 billion in advertising for the Sydney 2000 Olympics this summer, and has already sold more advertising than the record sum from the Atlanta Games in 1996.
ICC GRANTS BANGLADESH TEST STATUS
In a move that should add significant revenues to the coffers of cricket?s poorest affiliate nation, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has confirmed that Bangladesh has been granted Test status.
CLUB RANGERS PLANS BUYING FEEDER CLUBS
Scottish soccer club Rangers plans to acquire a number of feeder clubs that will help promote its brand worldwide and expansion into Europe, reports the Financial Times.
NIKE UNVEIL NEW SPRINTERS SUIT
With an eye on Sydney's Olympic Games, shoe and apparel giant Nike has unveiled its space-age "Swift Suit" for sprinters.
NSW GIVES $140M MORE TO SYDNEY GAMES
The NSW Government is to contribute an extra $140 million to the Olympic budget, following cost increases in ticketing, internet funding, and a sponsorship shortfall.
SYDNEY FINANCE CONCERNS
Sydney's Olympics organisers (SOCOG) have been asked to explain themselves after asking the government for a A$140 million (US$84 million) bail out.
GOLF?S 2001 WORLD CUP TO BE HELD IN JAPAN
The International Federation of PGA Tours has announced that the 2001 World Golf Championships-World Cup will be held in Shizuoka, Japan.