Americas

Computer experts will work around the clock during the Sydney Olympics to keep out cyber hackers who might try to vandalise Games websites, even changing official results and the names of medal winners.

Univision Communications, the US-based Spanish-language media company, has acquired the exclusive U.S. Spanish-language television rights to broadcast the final tournaments of the FIFA World Cup in 2002 and 2006.

The 2001 general assembly of the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) is to be hosted by the American Horse Shows Association in San Francisco, California.

Omaha, Nebraska aims to launch a $198 million general obligation bond issue to fund the construction of a new convention center and sports arena.

The Confederation of South American Football countries (CSF) has confirmed that Columbia will remain as host to the Copa America.

Isiah Thomas has paid off the $750,000 he owed team owners in the Continental Basketball Association, clearing the way for the Hall of Famer to be hired as coach of the Indiana Pacers.

NHL team the Edmonton Oilers have appointed a new president and chief executive officer.

With an eye on Sydney's Olympic Games, shoe and apparel giant Nike has unveiled its space-age "Swift Suit" for sprinters.

FIFA has fined the Peruvian Football Federation $14,400 and ordered Peru to play its next home World Cup qualifying match at a neutral venue after Peruvian fans threw stones at the Chilean team when it arrived at Lima airport for a match on March 27.

The trial of Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis has taken a dramatic turn with prosecutors dropping murder and assault charges against the football star in exchange for his testimony against two co-defendants.

Legal issues relating to internet intellectual property rights and piracy were stressed at the 26th annual Sports Lawyers Association Conference in San Francisco.

The National Association of Attorneys General Boxing Task Force has released a 60-page report calling for an independent ranking system and an increased protection of boxers.

The turbulent stock market may be creating funding problems for the big sports web site players as they continue to burn through cash, but Rivals.com general manager Scott Ehrlich argues that sports community niche sites will prosper because they can market themselves using the already existing connections and affinities between fans and groups of sports participants.

All 20 members of the US Women?s team that won the World Cup last summer are committed to the Women?s United Soccer Association ? the new eight team league that is to start next April.

Sydney Olympics organisers have said hundreds of thousands of printed tickets were too big to fit into turnstiles.

Reebok has won an important trademark legal battle in South America.