Australia

All-soccer network The International Football Channel (TIFC) has acquired the exclusive rights to broadcast the upcoming Women?s 2000 Pacific Cup throughout the Americas.

An Australian promoter plans to bring World Cup winners France, England, Italy and Argentina to Australia as part of a A$40 million (US$23.2 million) showcase of soccer next year.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the independent body specialising in sports law disputes, is to be in operation at next month's Euro 2000 finals.

London-based sports public relations company, Vision Sports PR, has consolidated its team of sports consultants selected for their sports media and participation experience.

Prince Alexandre de Merode offered to step down as head of the IOC's anti-doping campaign after 33 years on Wednesday because of criticism but was urged to stay on by Olympic leaders, an IOC spokesman said.

One of the venues for this year's Sydney Olympics has been partly destroyed by an Australian Defence Force team conducting a mock anti-terrorism exercise.

Australia's internet gambling industry risks losing up to $4.5 billion a year if the government blocks new online gaming licenses and curbs the industry's growth, according to an industry association.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) are to investigate copies of tapes allegedly implicating former Pakistan captain Salim Malik in match-fixing.

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) will investigate allegations by former Pakistan captain Salim Malik that Australians were involved in match-fixing on a 1994 tour of Pakistan.

Time Warner?s cable division has signed an agreement with NBC to carry the network's main feed as well as cable channels CNBC and MSNBC through 2008.

World Cup champions Australia will host South Africa in the first-ever test match played indoors, the Australian Rugby Union has confirmed.

Australians have fallen out of love with the Olympics, with a majority now saying they have no interest in the Games.

Remuneration to Australian Olympic Committee officials have increased by more than 30% in the two years to 1999.

Sports.com has signed a deal to publish the official web site of the French Olympic team.

UK Athletics has confirmed a three-year #500,000 sponsorship deal with Aqua-Pura Natural Mineral Water. Aqua-Pura will be designated the official natural mineral water of UK Athletics and the Great Britain Athletics Team. It will also sponsor the ?Road to Sydney? series of athletics meetings.

Australia?s Seven Network has signed a new pay-per-view deal to provide coverage of this summer?s Olympic Games in Sydney.

Kellogg USA is set up a special ?commemorative box? promotion involving eight US Olympic hopefuls in the run up to the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Maurice Greene, Marion Jones, Lenny Krayzelburg, Jenny Thompson, Amy Chow, Mark Ruiz, Leah O'Brien-Amico and Alison Dunlap will feature on commemorative packages of Kellogg's cereal. The promotion will hit US stores in August.

Australia's top swimming official has launched another attack on the IOC over its delay in approving the introduction of blood tests at the Sydney Olympics.