Russia

German club Schalke confirmed that Russian company Gazprom will be its shirt sponsor from next season.

The Media Partners & Silva and Sportfive agencies agreed a deal to unify the sale of international Italian Serie A rights in some key territories.

The Russian government approved stricter protection for intellectual property rights and said it would do its utmost to protect the Olympic logo and emblem, should Sochi’s 2014 Olympic Bid be successful in July of 2007.

The Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow and the Stadio Olimpico in Rome have been selected to host the 2008 and 2009 UEFA Champions League finals respectively by UEFA's executive committee.

The Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games bid marked the launch of its international campaign by announcing its new slogan — Sochi 2014: Gateway to the Future — and unveiling its corporate identity at global press conferences held simultaneously in Sochi and Moscow and briefings held in several countries around the world.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) said that a record number of countries have officially confirmed their intention to tender for the right to host the Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament in 2009.

The IAAF says a record number of countries have declared an interest to host the 2011 World Championships in Athletics.

Athletics fans in North, Central and South America can watch the IAAF World Cross Country Championships via a live webcast by the World Championship Sports Network (WCSN).

NBA Europe Live presented by EA Sports will feature four NBA sides competing against top European basketball clubs in seven European cities across five countries.

Four new tournaments, two events upgraded, two new courses and two significant date changes feature in golf’s 2006 European Tour International Schedule.

The National Olympic Committee (NOC) has elected Lord Colin Moynihan as the new British Olympic Association (BOA) chairman.

The LG Action Sports World Championships are to be held in Manchester, UK - the first time the championships have been held outside the United States.

The LG Action Sports World Championships are to be held in Manchester, UK - the first time the championships have been held outside of the United States.

British Olympic Association (BOA) chairman Craig Reedie is to retire after 13 years in the post, as thoughts turn to who his replacement will be.

Sochi, the Russian Black Sea resort is to bid to host the 2014 Winter Olympics just weeks after Moscow failed in its effort to attract the 2012 Summer Games.

Governing body FINA has selected Rome to host the 2009 World Swimming Championships.