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French World Cup revelry claims one, 10 criticalPARIS: One of the people hit by a car on the Champs Elysee during World Cup celebrations ...

French World Cup revelry claims one, 10 critical
PARIS: One of the people hit by a car on the Champs Elysee during World Cup celebrations early on Monday has died, a hospital spokesman said today. Around 80 revellers were injured when the car, driven by a 44-year old woman, ploughed into the crowds which had gathered in the avenue after France8217;s victory over Brazil.

The dead man, who was not named, was in his 40s. One radio station reported that he was a Romanian. Thirty-three people are still in hospital, 10 in a serious condition.

The driver, who was a teacher, has been sent to a psychiatric hospital. Police said she had been suffering psychiatric problems for some time and was apparently panicked by the crowds.

Paris may bid for Olympics
PARIS: Paris is to consider a bid to stage the Olympic Games following the success of the French World Cup, Mayor Jean Tiberi has said. 8220;We are going to study the possibility of an Olympic candidacy,8221; Tiberi said at the annual Bastille Daygarden party at the Elysee Palace. 8220;We were so encouraged by the World Cup,8221; Tiberi said here yesterday.

Sydney next stages the Summer Olympic Games in 2000, with Athens getting the nod for 2004. For the 2008 Games, five cities are in the running 8212; Osaka, Toronto, Istanbul, Seville and Buenos Aires.

Miandad ready to take over as coach
KARACHI: Former Pakistan Test captain Javed Miandad today said he was willing to work as coach to the national team. 8220;The board wanted my availability and I have conveyed to them that I am ready to take the post and will serve the country to the best of my abilities,8221; Miandad told AFP.The Pakistan team has had four coaches in the past four years, with Mushtaq Mohammad taking the tough job twice. The last coach Haroon Rashid resigned from his post in May.

Freeman cleared of foot fracture
MELBOURNE: World 400 metre champion Cathy Freeman of Australia was cleared today of a suspected foot stress fracture putting her Commonwealth Games preparation backon track. Freeman pulled out of yesterday8217;s International Golden League Athletics Meeting in Rome just before the start, when it was feared she had suffered a stress fracture in a race in oslo five days ago.

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But her manager Nick Bideau said today a scan had shown the injury was not as serious as first thought.

Samaranch support for Youth Games
MOSCOW: The first World Youth Games opened here in the Russian capital with International Olympic Committee IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch expressing confidence that the Games had a bright future and other cities would take the torch from Moscow. President Boris Yeltsin inaugurated the Games at the former Lenin Stadium on Monday in a spectacular opening ceremony.

Seven thousand athletes from 131 countries, including a 14-member Indian team of tennis players and gymnasts, are participating in the Youth Games.