31.   It is the first time the International Amateur Athletics Federation has organised an event in China.

32.   The closing date for candidates is officially Monday, and if no more apply, Belgium and Holland will organise the event.

33.   The Ariadne Cultural Foundation organising the event said it will offer the proceeds from the gala to children who fled the war in the former Yugoslavia.

34.   The company Steffi Graf Sport, which is owned and run by the newly displaced world number one, will organise the event.

35.   The pessimism stems from poor results in previous tournaments, especially two years ago when the North Africans organised the event superbly only to flop on the pitch.

36.   The objective is a better understanding of the causes of violence and ways of tackling them, presidency officials organising the event told AFP.