Events

Japan and South Korea, co-hosts of the 2002 World Cup, are pushing ahead with their plans to build new stadiums despite the economic crisis in Asia.

The issue of spectator safety at motorsport events is back in the spotlight after a tyre flew into the grandstands during the US 500 CART race on Sunday, killing three spectators and leaving six others injured, officials said.

England?s Chelsea football club chairman Ken Bates has received substantial but undisclosed libel damages and a public apology over a newspaper article which he said cast a slur on his name.

The New South Wales Police Chaplaincy Service will oversee religious observance and cater for the spiritual needs of Olympic athletes during the Sydney 2000 games.

Mobile telecommunications company Ericsson has announced a three-year sponsorship with English Rugby Football Club Wasps.

Manchester United fans are planning a mass protest against Rupert Murdoch's bid for Britain's most celebrated soccer club in a spirited attempt to defy market forces.

CBS's NFL broadcasts saw lower figures in the past week, while Fox ratings brought mixed numbers.

ABC's Monday Night Football continued to dominate ratings this week but Baseball and Clinton's Presidential peccadilloes made for unspectacular figures, with the lowest rated Dallas game ever.

The English Cricket Board is expected to announce that home Test matches will be screened by Channel 4 when its current agreement with the BBC ends in 2000.

Malaysia's Deputy Sports Minister Datuk Loke Yuen Yow has said that Malaysia will bid to host subsequent Olympics even if it fails in its bid to hold the 2008 Games.

The swimming programme for the Sydney 2000 Olympics has been extended from seven days to eight, Australian swimming authorities have said.

The ATP Tour announced a new series of elite tournaments and said the game's rules may be changed to make men's tennis more attractive.

The decision by the Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust to seek naming rights sponsors for two of Victoria's premier sporting facilities has caused a mixed reaction among tenants.

Telecom Italia shareholders gathering in Turin are likely to be disappointed if they expect to hear that a digital pay-TV deal with media baron Rupert Murdoch has been wrapped up, industry sources said.

An official involved in Manchester's two failed Olympic bids has said some International Olympic Committee (IOC) members tried to make money out of visits to the northern English city.

Franz Beckenbauer has hinted South Africa was still leading the race to stage the 2006 World Cup finals despite mounting opposition from England and Germany.