MENA

Media reports suggest that French president Jacques Chirac has officially confirmed Paris' intention to bid for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Aussie Rules club Richmond has appointed Ian Campbell - a well known industry figure - as its new CEO.

The FIFA World Youth Championships have been rescheduled.

Increased security costs will be the main impact on sport this summer following the current war in Iraq, according to hundreds of industry executives voting in the latest sportbusiness.com poll.

NBA legend Michael Jordan has turned down the chance of becoming the executive vice-president of the Chicago Bulls following his retirement at the end of the current season.

The ratings for the semi-finals of this year's NCAA men's basketball tournament are down on the previous year as the broadcasts compete with coverage of the war in Iraq.

The ITF has been forced to reschedule Fed Cup games as a result of the unstable political situation and advice from its risk management consultants.

Martin Brundle, the chairman of the British Racing Drivers' Club that leases out UK motor racing circuit Silverstone, has voiced his concerns that the British Formula One Grand Prix's days could be numbered.

Martha Burk, the leader of the protest against the all-male membership of Augusta National Golf Club, has launched another scathing attack on CBS in bid to make the US broadcaster drop its coverage of the Masters tournament.

This year's Sharjah Cup cricket tournament could be called off later today, following South Africa's decision to pull-out of the event.

The war in the Middle East has claimed its latest sporting victim after South Africa's national cricket team pulled out of next week's Sharjah Cup.

NFL Europe is expected to learn today what impact the outbreak of war will have on its season amid concerns its start could be delayed.

Rugby's Hong Kong Sevens is set to go ahead as planned - despite the high-profile withdrawals of the Italian and French national teams.

The Washington D.C. marathon has been cancelled amid security fears linked to the US-led war against Iraq.

The Hong Kong Sevens rugby union tournament is the latest sports event to be disrupted by the onset of the war in Iraq.

As the first air raids begin, US free-to-air broadcaster CBS has agreed to switch some coverage of the men's college basketball NCAA tournament to cable network ESPN in order to accommodate coverage of the war against Iraq.