Oceania

Swatch Group has signed a long-term partnership agreement with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in areas of timing, scoring and results-keeping.

Australia's three-match Test series against India starting next month will be held in Bombay,

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) said on Monday it was "disturbed" by claims from a former Pakistan player that an Australian bookmaker used prostitutes to help persuade foreign players to under-perform in matches.

Australian batsman Mark Waugh has announced that he won't meet with the unit investigating corruption in cricket after previously saying he was happy to co-operate.

IOC marketing director Michael Payne has endorsed the Olympic movement's brand management strategy for the Sydney Games following a "full debrief" on Olympic sponsorship issues at an IOC meeting in New York.

Greek weightlifter Pyrros Dimas, one of only a trio of competitors to win three Olympic golds in the sport, was appointed to the 2004 Athens Games organising committee on Thursday.

In New Zealand the upcoming All Black rugby tests against Argentina, Ireland and Scotland could struggle to find a decent sized television audience after it was revealed that the latest broadcasting rights had been sold to newcomer TelstraSaturn.

The International Olympic Committee has confirmed the status of Beach Volleyball as a full Olympic discipline as from the Olympic Games of Athens in 2004.

Former England cricket captain Alec Stewart has conceded that a bookmaker's statement accusing him of taking money in exchange for information affected his form during the recent tour of Pakistan.

Despite criticism of the format and age rules of the 2000 Olympic Games soccer tournament, FIFA and IOC officials have agreed to maintain the status quo for the 2004 Games in Athens.

A golden shoe worn by Olympic 400 metres champion Michael Johnson at the Sydney Games last year raised #11,000 ($16,190) at a charity auction during a birthday party for Muhammad Ali last night.

Australian batsman Mark Waugh will be interviewed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) anti-corruption unit when its officials visit Australia next month.

World rugby union chiefs have said they had no contingency plans to stage the 2003 World Cup outside Australia and New Zealand, the two countries due to co-host the event.

A Toronto city councillor has warned that taxpayers may drown in debt if the city emerges as the host of 2008 Olympics.

Australian teen star Lleyton Hewitt signed the richest sponsorship deal in men's tennis in 2000 to wear only Nike tennis gear for five years.

The International Cricket Council will announce next month a 10-year plan for fixtures between the 10 test-playing nations.