Australia

Olympic sponsor and technology provider IBM has unveiled its website for the Sydney 2000 Olympics which includes real-time scoring and results, play-by-play commentary and webcam images of 11 sports.

An Australian international swimmer is threatening to take legal action over the sport's controversial new bodysuits.

The Australian government has said it expected this year's Sydney Olympics to give the economy a boost in the September quarter, adding about one percentage point to gross domestic product and cutting the current account deficit.

Olympic officials have expressed relief over the appointment of Yianna Angelopoulos as chief organiser of the Athens 2004 Olympics, saying they now expected fewer delays and harder work from Greece.

The Australian Federal Government has earmarked an additional $5million in funding for elite sports in the run up to the Sydney Olympics.

TVNZ Satellite Services has reached agreement with the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) to provide a concurrent 8-channel service delivering live coverage of events for the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics.

A printing error on ticket order forms will allow 12,704 fans to see Australian gold medal hope Cathy Freeman's first run at the Sydney Games for half-price.

International Management Group (IMG) is planning to extend its internet presence in Australia, reports Australasian Business Intelligence. Via its wholly-owned subsidiary TWI Interactive, the company has targeted a number of internet-based site opportunities, mostly on a revenue-sharing basis.

ActiveTV has won the contract to be event manager for this year?s Australian Sports Awards.

Australia has showcased its biggest peacetime security operation, saying it was ready to combat any potential terrorist threat to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has advised Australian Olympic officials that their swimmers are free to wear bodysuits at the national Olympic selection trials from May 13 to 20 in Sydney.

Rangers are poised to buy into Australian club Northern Spirit as part of their plans to make the Scottish champions a worldwide brand.

The Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG) may raise $A85m in ticket sales to events it had described as "sold out".

Internet company Virtual World of Sports has secured a Au$9.2 million three-year naming rights sponsorship deal with The Australian Ladies Masters golf tournament. The sponsorship ensures that the tournament stays at Royal Pines on Australia?s Gold Coast until at least 2003.

A scientist at Sydney's top Olympic training centre, the New South Wales Academy of Sport, has been suspended after being charged with illegally importing steroids ordered over the Internet.

An early flotation of shares in Melbourne?s troubled Colonial Stadium looks less likely according to reports which say revenues are lower than expected while costs are up.