Liverpool go for the Socceroos' doctor

LESS than two months after Harry Kewell's agent labelled the medical treatment dished out to the star striker by former club Liverpool as a "disgrace", the English giants appear to have heeded the message, appointing an Australian to lead their medical program.

Sunday Best

TROUBLESHOOTING

No medal, but still a lifetime performance

THE next highest placing by an Australian at the Winter Olympics after the medals of Dale Begg-Smith and Torah Bright was achieved in a discipline new to the Olympics, by a 20-year-old new to the discipline, who was second-last to qualify for these Games, and had not competed at all for almost seven weeks because of a fall in St Johann in Austria that left him with concussion and a broken collarbone.

Radio Australia to cull sport news

THE ABC's international broadcaster, Radio Australia, is terminating its sports bulletins following a sexual harassment dispute involving the department's manager and its only dedicated sports reporter.

Task force set up to aid bid

KEY elements of Australia's World Cup bid will come under greater government control after a task force was yesterday announced to sort out problems that have dogged Australia's push to host the largest event in world sport.

Olympic dreams hit for six by funding row

THE long-awaited Crawford report into sport says Australia has to stop being an international over-achiever and learn to be satisfied with a "realistic" top 10 Olympic result.

Sport Groups Agree To Binge-drinking Code

SIX of Australia's biggest sporting organisations have signed up to a new binge-drinking code promising that players, coaches, referees and officials who are under the influence will be banned from participating in sporting contests.

What's Good For The Vrc Should Be Good For Councils

ACROSS Melbourne, once-green fields of dreams are abandoned dustbowls. Under 3a water restrictions, councils may water only one in four sports grounds. The impact on outdoor activities and clubs has been huge, although councils have done their best, on tight budgets, to install water tanks and truck in recycled water to supplement supply.

Elite Athletes Face Unprecedented Drugs Monitoring

AUSTRALIA'S elite athletes must provide information on their daily whereabouts and be available for one hour each day for unannounced drug testing under tough new international anti-doping rules.

Drugs Crackdown Keeps Tabs On Elite Athletes

AUSTRALIA'S elite athletes must provide information on their daily whereabouts and be available for one hour each day for unannounced drug testing under tough new international anti-doping rules.

A Taste Of Olympic Glory

MORE than 500 of Australia's best school-age athletes will get a tantalising taste of the Olympic Games and, while they're at it, be drug-tested - possibly for the first time in their lives.

Robbins On Her Bike After Career Switch

FORMER rower Sally Robbins will make her most serious attempt at switching sports at the national road cycling championships today when she competes in the women's 28-kilometre individual time trial near Ballarat.

Bracken Smarting After Rejection

NATHAN BRACKEN offered a "no comment" to the rumour he intends to turn his back on four-day cricket to focus on the one-day and Twenty20 arenas, but his manager blasted Andrew Hilditch and Australia's selection panel for what he termed their "disgraceful" treatment of his client.

Another Test Snub Prompts Bracken To Rethink Future

NATHAN BRACKEN offered a "no comment" to the rumour he intends to turn his back on four-day cricket to focus on the one-day and Twenty20 arenas, but his manager blasted Andrew Hilditch and Australia's selection panel for what he termed their "disgraceful" treatment of his client.

Australia Day Brings Waugh To Wollongong

FORMER Australian Test cricket captain Steve Waugh AO will help Wollongong celebrate Australia Day.