The contribution of Coca-Cola to the Olympic Movement has always been the model of a true partnership.

- Jacques Rogge, 1.8.05

This just in from the media desk of the International Olympic Committee:

The International Olympic Committee and The Coca-Cola Company today announced a renewal of their partnership for an unprecedented 12 years, thereby taking what was already the longest sponsorship of the Olympic Games to a record 92 uninterrupted years. The partnership, which began in 1928, was extended during a signing ceremony on the Great Wall of China. The new agreement, which begins in 2009, will see Coca-Cola supporting the Olympic Movement over a period which covers the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games, the London 2012 Olympic Games, plus the Olympic Games of 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020.

"Lagaan", the 2001 Bollywood film that climaxes with a game of cricket, makes its first appearance on Australian free-to-air television tonight. Nominated for the US academy of arts and science's best foreign film award of 2001, "Lagaan" is on SBS tonight (Sunday July 31) from 8.30pm. (It finishes just after midnight, and that's not through being drawn out by copious amounts of ads like the other

http://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/2082

EU powerless to halt 'dog spinning' in Bulgaria

29th Jul 2005

'Barbaric practice must be stopped immediately' - Euro-MP

THE EU is powerless to prevent the 'barbaric' Bulgarian tradition of 'dog-spinning', the European Commission has admitted.

With Justice Albie Sachs due to hand down his decision on the appeal against Saurav Ganguly's suspension later today, I thought it might be interesting to revisit his recent interview on BBC World's Hardtalk program.

While he doesn't discuss the Ganguly case or even cricket at all in the interview with the BBC's Steven Sackur, it does provide an interesting insight into the man whose day job is as a Justice of the South African Constitutional Court.

The Cricket Association of Bengal has amended its constitution to allow Jagmohan Dalmiya to serve a third term as its president. A special general meeting of the CAB voted this week to remove the clause in its constitution limiting an association president to holding a maximum of two terms in the post. This will allow Dalmiya to continue as CAB President beyond July this year, which is also the month when his term as president of the ICC expires. Joint Secretary of the CAB, Debdas Bannerjee, stated, "We are not denying the fact that we changed the constitution for Mr Dalmiya.

Three items on the web for your edification:

It took just 10.1 overs on Sunday once play actually began. Like so many Australian victories over the past decade, a game that was neck-and-neck through the first innings ended up a decisive victory. Two bowlers with a combined age of 70 and a combined career haul of 1097 Test wickets finished off England, as they have done so many times before.

Pietermartizberg's very own Kevin Pietersen can be pleased with his Test debut for his new country of residence, and currently boasts a batting average of 121.00.

John Howard at the presidential lectern in the White House with George W Bush. John Howard at the Pentagon with Donald Rumsfeld. John Howard being praised by Rupert Murdoch at a black tie dinner. John Howard with Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street. John Howard visiting Aussie blast victims in a London hospital. John Howard chatting with John Major in the member's pavillion at Lord's. John Howard with headphones and mike in the CCCP (Central Cricket Commentary Position) live to air on the Beeb.

Before sifting through the Sunday papers, this from the Lords.org website posted on Friday:

'Daily Mail' apologises to ticket staff at Lord's

My question du jour involves Le tour: Can Australia wrap up the First Test before Lance begins his final pedal up the Champs-Elysees?

Australian free-to-air broadcasters SBS juggling cricket coverage with their pre-existing committment to the Tour de France - something Murdoch operatives have been gloating about as jointly owned Fairfax-Packer pay TV channel Fox Sports has complete ball-by-ball coverage to itself. On the other hand, it has the Sky Sports commentators all to itself...