Cost of 2014 Commonwealth Games rises by 81 million pounds

October 27th, 2009 IOC's Rogge pleased with work on 2014 Sochi GamesMOSCOW — International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge says he's pleased with Russia's preparations for the 2014 Sochi Games. Rogge says he's encouraged by "the pace and quality" of the work in the Black Sea resort area.

October 14th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith on Wednesday expressed his satisfaction with the preparations, including security set up for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, to be staged in New Delhi. After visiting the various sports facilities here, Smith said that he was confident that India would stage a 'first class' Commonwealth Games on time.

October 12th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. M S Gill on Monday said he will ask the government to release more funds for the Commonwealth Games.

October 10th, 2009 LONDON - The England football team players will get four lakh pounds each as bonus if they win the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Talks are ongoing between the players and the Football Association about bonuses for next summer's tournament in South Africa.

October 2nd, 2009 Obama's Copenhagen trip wasn't cheapWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's failed bid to bring the 2016 Olympic Games to Chicago cost more than a bruised ego. Taxpayers shelled out probably $1 million or more for the president, his wife and others to fly to Copenhagen and back to woo members of the International Olympic Committee.

September 26th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Premier of Victoria John Brumby called on Suresh Kalmadi, the Chairman of Organising Committee of Commonwealth Games 2010 here on Saturday. Brumby during his visit met the organising committee officials and reviewed the progress of various stadiums and infrastructure projects coming up for the Commonwealth Games.

September 18th, 2009 Volkswagen to sponsor Sochi 2014 Winter OlympicsSOCHI, Russia — Volkswagen became a sponsor of the 2014 Winter Olympics on Friday in a deal that Sochi organizers said brings total sponsorship revenues to more than $750 million. Sochi organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko signed the agreement with Dietmar Korzekwa, director general of Volkswagen Group Rus, in the Black Sea resort city.

August 20th, 2009 LONDON - The 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi will be best ever with the prime minister rolling out a massive Rs.7 billion (Rs.700 crore) budget and the work schedule on target, Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi has told British investors in London. The Delhi Games are going to be the best ever Commonwealth Games so far.

August 19th, 2009 Russia's Aeroflot to sponsor 2014 Sochi OlympicsMOSCOW — Russian airline Aeroflot has signed up as a domestic sponsor of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi in a deal worth more than $100 million. The carrier becomes the fifth top-tier sponsor of the games, along with telecommunication firms Rostelecom and Megafon, oil and gas company Rosneft and lender Sberbank.

August 13th, 2009 LONDON - Steven Gerrard believes that Manchester City could be Premier League title challengers this season. The Liverpool captain said: "They have made everyone sit up and take notice.

August 4th, 2009 LONDON - Portuguese and Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo's legs have been insured for 90-million pounds. According to The Sun, the Spanish club, which bought Ronaldo for a record 80 million pounds in June, want to protect their money if he picks up a long-term injury.

July 14th, 2009 LONDON - Manchester City is all set to grab Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor with a staggering 25 million pounds swoop. Can anyone imagine what striking zone Man City will be designing? The Togo star would be offered a five-year deal at the Eastlands worth around 130,000 pounds per week, which would add up to an astounding 60 million pounds, The Sun reports.

July 8th, 2009 LONDON - Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo is putting three of his luxury cars up for sale for 195,000 pounds. According to The Sun, his close friends also believe that he plans to sell his four million pound mansion in Cheshire.

July 6th, 2009 NHL MVP Ovechkin takes role with 2014 Sochi GamesLONDON — NHL MVP Alex Ovechkin is offering his help to organizers of the first Winter Olympics in his native Russia. The Washington Capitals star, who has earned the Hart Trophy as league MVP the past two seasons, will be an "official ambassador" for the 2014 Sochi Games, organizers said Monday.

June 5th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The organising committee of the 2010 Commonwealth Games launched a green games initiative on World Environment day here Friday. Jasmine saplings on behalf of 71 participating nations were planted in the "Commonwealth Garden of 71".