Greece

The head of an International Olympic Committee (IOC) inspection team said he was optimistic about the troubled 2004 Athens Games and he would concentrate on ensuring venue construction was on schedule during his visit.

Greece has pledged speed up the completion of key 2004 Olympic venues to please an International Olympic Committee (IOC) team who are in Athens to inspect preparations for the troubled Games.

China is contemplating throwing Tiananmen Square - mostly known to the outside world for the 1989 massacre of pro-democracy demonstrators - into its 2008 Olympic bid as the venue for beach volleyball.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) team visiting Athens on November 22-24 will be examining progress in organising the 2004 Games. For the full details see the FEATURES section of sportbusiness.com.

Athens 2004 organisers hope an International Olympic Committee (IOC) team on a three-day visit this week will be pleased with Greece's efforts despite the recent sacking of the minister primarily in charge of the troubled Games.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) team visiting Athens on November 22-24 will be examining progress in organising the 2004 Games. For the full details see the FEATURES section of sportbusiness.com.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Juan Antonio Samaranch has praised Athens for accelerating progress in its preparations for the 2004 Olympics.

Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis has fired one of his most controversial politicians for the second time, dismissing Culture Minister Theodoros Pangalos - who has most responsibility for the troubled 2004 Athens Olympics - for criticising the government.

The chief organiser of the 2004 Athens Olympics says it is a "gigantic task" and her team would be tested every day until the Games were over. For the full details see the FEATURES section of sportbusiness.com.

Athens 2004 organisers have signed what they say is the biggest national sponsorship deal in the history of the Olympics.

The English National Investment Company (ENIC) has reported a pre-tax profit of #11million for the year ending 30 June 2000 on a turnover of #47.2m, up 15.9% from last year.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice-president Dick Pound said on Wednesday that Athens was far behind in preparing the 2004 Olympics but denied the IOC was considering moving the Games.

Turkish soccer club Galatasaray Sport Club AS has clarified the terms of the proposed public listing for its media, merchandising rights and advertising businesses.

Greece has admitted that it was under pressure but pledged the Olympic village for the 2004 Games would be ready on time.

Athens organisers have picked a shortlist of five banks as sponsors for the 2004 Olympics Games.

Athens organisers have picked International Sports Broadcasting (ISB) to cover the 2004 Olympics following a tender.