Russia

Victory in Moscow's bid to host the 2005 World Athletics Championship will result in a $30million (EUR34.38m) spend - according to sport chiefs in the Russian capital.

Formula One's Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed the first Russian Grand Prix will take place in 2004 - and not next year as originally planned, according to the BBC.

Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone is due to give the go-ahead for Moscow to host Grand Prix as early as next year.

Today is the last day for contenders to formally indicate their intention to host the 2005 World Athletics Championships. The International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) is expected to receive bids from six cities.

The row over claims of anti-Russian bias during the Winter Games looks set to continue after the head of Russia's upper house called for Moscow to press forward with its complaints - presenting IOC president Jacques Rogge with his first real test.

Rome has made a formal bid to host the World Athletics Championships in 2005, the third-biggest sporting event in the world, Italy's Athletics Federation FIDAL has confirmed.

The Formula One World Championship is ready to move East in a bid to capitalise on the growing popularity of the sport in Asia, FIA president Max Mosley said.

Moscow's bid to host the 2005 World Athletics Championships has an excellent chance of success, the head of Russian athletics said.

The IAAF has received interest from eight cities to host the 2005 World Championships following the withdrawal of London at the end of last year.

Eight cities have shown an interest in staging the World Championships competition in 2005 after it was controversially taken away from the UK after the Picketts Lock debacle.

Russian Aluminium has signed an agreement with the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) to become the ROC and Russian Winter Olympic team's general partner.

The Belgian Grand Prix could be axed from 2003 if the government imposes a national ban on tobacco advertising, according to Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

The PFA seek a settlement with the UK Football Leagues to avoid strike action, the Third Football Market takes place in Moscow, the IOC Coordination Commission meet in Athens and the UIPM - Modern Pentathlon Union Congress gathers in Cairo.

Two of sport’s most powerful men will meet tomorrow in a bid to bring their two organisations closer together.

Industry experts will be gathering in Moscow next month in a bid to boost eastern Europe’s soccer business.

Russian officials have confirmed it will bid to stage a Formula One Grand Prix in 2003.