North America

John Krimsky, who in 13 years with the United States Olympic Committee raised more than $2 billion on behalf of U.S. Olympic athletes, is leaving his post to return to the private sector in a USOC shake-up.

South Africa`s 2006 World Cup bid committee said it was vital for the future of soccer as a sport and the World Cup as a multi-billion dollar business that the African continent stage the finals in seven years' time.

The Davis Cup Centennial Celebration quarter-final tie between the United States and Australia at the Longwood Cricket Club this summer sold out in a lightning-quick 81 minutes, the USTA said.

"Morocco is officially a candidate for the World Cup finals in 2006," Youth and Sports Minister Ahmed Moussaoui stated yesterday.

The National Football League's owners will evaluate a new $800 million offer for the Washington Redskins and their stadium at in Atlanta on May 25-26, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said.

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.

Among the diverse voices at this weeks Interactive Sports West 1999 Conference in Los Angeles Mark Cuban's stood out.

Among the diverse voices at this week's Interactive Sports West 1999 Conference in Los Angeles Mark Cuban's stood out.

A deal to move the National Football League's New England Patriots to Connecticut from Massachusetts is still on, Connecticut Gov. John Rowland and Patriots owner Robert Kraft said.

Melbourne's Metropolitan Club will host the Andersen Consulting world matchplay golf championship in January 2001.

Boxing promoters, judges and sanctioning bodies will receive greater scrutiny under New York state regulations unveiled in response to public discontent over the controversial Holyfield/Lewis world heavyweight title fight in March.

Churchill Downs is to buy the Hollywood Park race track in a deal worth $140million.

A prominent member of soccer's world governing body FIFA believes Asia is winning the battle for more places in the World Cup finals in 2002.

California-based company, Action Sports International which manufactures, distributes and licences extreme and free sports products, has announced that it is currently in negotiations to acquire a leading extreme sports footwear and apparel manufacturer.

International Speedway Corps (ISC) is buying sports promoter Penske Motorsports Inc, for about $610 million in a deal that will put 10 auto racing tracks in the US under one owner and create a dominant entity in auto-racing promotions and in particular NASCAR racing.

Morocco's King Hassan has named former minister Driss Benhima as head of the National World Cup Committee (NWCC) to lobby for hosting the world soccer finals in Morocco in 2006.