China
FIVE CITIES IN 2008 GAMES RACE
The race to host the Olympic Games in 2008 has now begun in earnest following the announcement of the shortlist by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
AUSTRALIA KEEPS OLYMPIC SECURITY IN-HOUSE
Foreign security forces accompanying athletes to the Sydney Olympics will not be allowed to carry guns to protect their delegations, according to Australian attorney-general Daryl Williams.
CHINADOTCOM SUPPORTS TEAM CHINA
Chinadotcom corporation, the pan-Asian integrated Internet company, has entered into an official Website sponsorship agreement with the Chinese Football Association (CFA) and its exclusive agent, ISL Asia Pacific.
WASHINGTON AND BALTIMORE IN JOINT OLYMPIC BID
Washington and Baltimore are to announce an unprecedented joint bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games, according to the Washington Post.
IRAN SAYS WEIGHING U.S. SOCCER INVITATION
Iran's soccer federation is weighing an invitation to play friendly matches in the United States, a federation official has said.
COLA GIANTS BATTLE FOR CHINA LEAGUE DEAL
Coca-Cola and Pepsi Cola have taken their global rivalry out of the soft drink arena and on to the football field as they battle for the right to sponsor the mainland national football league in China.
EXILE GROUPS PREPARE FOR BASEBALL PROTESTS
Hundreds of Cuban exiles will protest when the Baltimore Orioles host a Cuban national team May 3 in a historic baseball series between teams from longtime political foes the United States and Cuba.
ROGGE: `CHINESE POLITICS NOT OUR BUSINESS?
The IOC will not monitor China's human rights record or relations with rival Taiwan in the run-up to the 2008 Olympic Games, the body's president Jacques Rogge has said. For the full story see the FEATURES section of sportbusiness.com.
MANCHESTER UNITED MAY TAKE LEGAL ACTION OVER UNLICENCED BAR
English soccer club Manchester United is on the brink of taking legal action against a Hong Kong restaurant that is using the club?s name without a licence.
UEFA: WE?D WELCOME KAZAKSTAN
Kazakhstan would be welcomed as the 52nd member association of UEFA if they went ahead with plans to quit the Asian confederation, officials said on Wednesday.
IOC INSPECTS TURKEY FOR 2008 GAMES
IOC inspectors have begun a visit to Istanbul to evaluate the Turkish city's bid to stage the 2008 Games.
BEIJING TELLS IOC IT?S READY TO HOST GAMES
With Tiananmen Square sealed off to thwart possible protests, Beijing has declared itself ready for an Olympic inspection of its bid to stage the Games in 2008. For the full story see the FEATURES section of sportbusiness.com.
BANK PROMISES US$12 BILLION FOR BEIJING OLYMPIC BID
China Development Bank has doubled its pledged investment in Beijing to support the capital city's bid to host the 2008 Olympics.
BEIJING BIDS NOT TO LOO-SE OUT ON GAMES
Beijing has decided to bring its public toilets up to Olympic gold standards in its pursuit of the 2008 Games, the China Daily said on Monday.
GAMES FEVER ROUND WORLD GRIPS ONLINE GAMBLERS
Reach for your mouse and your credit card - it's time for an Olympic flutter on the Internet.
SOHU TO PROVIDE GAMES MESSAGES
Sohu.com, the Chinese internet portal, is to provide Olympic Games information to over 50 million mobile phone users in China, due to an alliance with China Mobile Communications Corporation (CMCC).
GOAL MEDIA SCORES WITH HONG KONG ON-LINE PUBLISHER
Goal Media Group, the digital media company that produces.goalnetwork.com and todogol.com, has signed an exclusive internet partnership with a Hong Kong and Chinese market online soccer publisher.
CHINA LAUNCHES OLYMPIC BID SLOGAN
China has launched Beijing's bid for the 2008 Summer Games under the slogan "New Beijing, Great Olympics."