Australia

Former Australian test batsman and cricket administrator Barry Shepherd has died aged 64, the Australian Cricket Board has announced.

South Africa will consider enforcing no-fly zones over cricket stadiums at the 2003 World Cup after last week's terrorist attacks on the US – as sporting events around the world tighten up on security.

One of sport's biggest backers, Ansett Australia, the second-largest domestic airline Down-Under, has shut down its operations with immediate effect, leaving passengers stranded at airports and the sports industry in the region in chaos.

The Greg Norman International, which offers the highest purse, the best field and the biggest crowds on Australia's golfing calendar, has been scrapped after a dispute between the promoters and the Australasian PGA Tour.

Carlton & United Breweries (CUB), through its Carlton Draught brand, has signed a sponsorship deal with the Australian Football League (AFL) with transport operator Yarra Trams that will allow free public transport this for this year’s AFL Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground(MCG).

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has angrily dismissed a rumour predicting the 2003 Rugby World Cup could be shifted from Australia and New Zealand to Europe.

Officials in Australia have warned that the country’s sport industry would be thrown into chaos if the nation’s second largest airline Ansett Australia collapses after months of financial ruin.

The Seven Network and Soccer Australia have confirmed broadcast plans for the 2001/2002 soccer season.

MP Web, the new media company of Milan-based sports marketers Media Partners Group, and Italian Serie A soccer club AC Parma have signed an exclusive management agreement for the official website of AC Parma until 2009.

The LPGA World Cup of Golf, scheduled to be played in Australia later this year, has been cancelled.

London stock market-listed Sportsworld Media Group plc has issued a statement reiterating its confidence in meeting market expectations for the year ended 30 June 2001, despite a 20% fall (from a weekly high of 373.5p 312.5p) in its share price over recent days.

Amer Sports - the B

The five cities bidding to host the 2008 Olympic Games have begun delivering their final presentations ahead of this afternoon's decision in Moscow around 3.30pm BST.

Beijing combined evocative images of ancient and modern China in its final bid for the 2008 Olympics on Friday just hours before the International Olympics Committee (IOC) votes on the host.

Beijing will be guaranteed at least $1.2 billion from the sales of television rights and sponsorships for the Olympic Games.

Beijing's victory came seven years after it lost to Sydney by two votes in the election for the 2000 Olympics.