Sub-Saharan Africa

Washington and Baltimore are to announce an unprecedented joint bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games, according to the Washington Post.

South Africa became the latest edition to the world motorcycle calendar when organisers said the country would host a round of the 500cc world championship next April.

Australian soccer authorities have made a formal application to host the World Cup in 2006 or 2010.

The three southern hemisphere rugby superpowers have announced they would not in future accept tours from understrength United Kingdom teams.

England's bid to host the World Cup in 2006 has not been damaged in the long term by the violence of their fans which blighted France 98, campaign director Alec McGivan said.

Many South African sports bodies are elitist and not doing enough to encourage participation by the black majority, parliament's sport and recreation committee said in a report released today(Wednesday).

Brazil has said it would bid to stage the 2006 World Cup, and immediately received the backing of the South American Football Confederation (CSF).

South Africa is convinced it will host a Formula One Grand Prix race next season after a six year gap despite the introduction of a bill banning tobacco advertising, Sports Minister Steve Tshwete has said.

World rugby's governing body has failed to promote the sport outside its traditional strongholds and is in dire need of a serious shape-up, former Australian hero David Campese has said.

The one-day tournament between England, South Africa and Sri Lanka later this month, the first international cricket series in England to be played in coloured clothing, is to be sponsored by Emirates airline.

Australian cricket chiefs have imposed tough new regulations on players with the introduction of a racial and religious vilification code and a drug testing policy.

The South African Rugby Football Union has said it will name its first black president at special elections next month, ending months of bitter wrangling over ending white domination of the sport.

South Africa could host a Formula One Grand Prix race in 2001 or maybe even sooner if there is a gap in the programme, Formula One Association president Bernie Ecclestone is reported to have said.

Cricket authorities are likely to come under pressure to increase the jurisdiction of the third umpire following the planned use of slow motion replays in non-televised matches at next month's Commonwealth Games.

Security for athletes at next month's World Cup has been discussed at the highest level, a spokesman for President Nelson Mandela, Parks Mankahlana, has said.

The athletics World Cup will be renamed the Nelson Mandela Trophy for future editions of the four-yearly continental team event, the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) has said.