Olympic Games: The Sydney Olympic Games cost a total of Aus$6 billion (£3.75 billion) to stage with taxpayers picking up more than one third of the bill, reports New South Wales Treasurer Michael Egan.

Egan said the NSW government will have spent Aus$2.14 billion once the Paralympic Games are finished, while the federal government will have spent Aus$180 million.

Motor Racing: World champion Michael Schumacher accused David Coulthard and Jacques Villeneuve yesterday of talking behind his back rather than discussing his driving tactics face to face.

"Somehow, it's always the same drivers that one has problems with, like (David) Coulthard and (Jacques) Villeneuve for example. It's no secret," Schumacher said. "They all talk and talk and talk all day but never say anything to my face. It's surprising but there's nothing I can do to change it," said Schumacher.

Surfing: Tramore's Jamie Byrne and Rossnowlagh's Naomi Britton have been selected on the European Surf Team to travel to Namibia and South Africa later this month to compete in the annual Euro-Africa Surf Challenge between Europe and Africa.

In what is further confirmation of Ireland's growing reputation among the European surfing scene, both Byrne and Britton were named among the 13-strong squad while Irish Surfing Association president Brian Britton was named team manager.

The full schedule is: Oct 28th - Namibia v Europe, Walvis Bay; Nov 1st - South Africa v Europe, Jeffrey's Bay; Nov 4th - Africa v Europe, Durban.