North America

Coca-Cola Co is to launch a makeover of its disappointing Powerade sports drink to better compete with the leading Gatorade brand, which has become synonymous with the NFL, America's most popular sports brand.

More than a dozen countries have declared an interest in hosting either of the next two editions of the World Club Championship, FIFA said on Thursday.

US internet company Logictier, which designs and manages internet web sites, has pulled out of its web hosting deal for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.

The San Francisco Giants are preparing a proposal for a 20,000-seat sports and entertainment arena across China Basin from Pacific Bell Park, team officials say.

If Miami does not come up with a stadium financing plan for the Florida Marlins in the next 30 days, owner John Henry will look north to Broward or Palm Beach counties for help.

Bart McGuire will step down as chief executive officer of the WTA Tour at the end of the year, the women's tennis organisation has said.

KirchMedia has secured the United States marketing rights to the 2002 and 2006 soccer World Cups.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell says the US is still deciding whether to adopt a stance on Beijing's bid for the 2008 Olympic Games but is sensitive to the idea of not mixing politics with sport.

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food has decided to use Foot & Mouth sniffer dogs to prevent the disease spreading to the United States when the world travels to Salt Lake City for the 2002 Winter Olympics in February.

Meetings between Texas Motor Speedway general manager Eddie Gossage and CART chief executive officer Joe Heitzler have yet to produce any decisions about the Firestone Firehawk 600.

Media Content and the Sportel Organisation, owner and organiser of the popular sports broadcasting events in Monaco and Miami are launching an online marketplace.

The United States Postal Service has signed a three-year contract extension to remain the title sponsor of the professional cycling team led by double Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong.

Tailwind Sports, the agency that owns and manages Lance Armstrong's professional US cycling team, has signed a three-year extension to keep the United States Postal Service as its title sponsor.

The world?s largest media company AOL Time Warner is in talks with the UK?s largest cable company NTL about a distribution alliance for content over high-speed broadband networks.

Makati City, the Philippines? chief financial district, will bid to host the 2005 Southeast Asian Games.

Nasdaq-listed Quokka Sports, the company at the forefront of developments in online sports content, has filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States in preparation for an asset fire-sale.