RIO DE JANEIRO, August 13: A meeting room at the beleaguered Rio soccer club Flamengo was firebombed last night and a group of angry fans claimed responsibility.Witnesses said about six men ran past the room just after the directors' meeting had finished, threw a bottle full of inflammable liquid on to the floor and then set fire to it before fleeing. Some windows were smashed and curtains were set on fire but damage appeared to be minimal.Club president Kleber Leite blamed his enemies for the act. Leite, who took over as President at the start of 1995, has faced increasing opposition among fans as his incessant wheeling and dealing has failed to produce a decent team.

Greece slams athletics boss Nebiolo

ATHENS: Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos accused world athletics chief Priomo Nebiolo of meddling in politics by disparaging Athens's bid to host the 2004 olympics. Nebiolo, who is playing a leading role in Rome's rival bid for the Games, told Greek Television the Games would not solve Greece's Political and Economic problems. Nebiolo had earlier said that the success of last week's World Athletics Championships in Athens owed more to his federation, the IAAF, than to the Greek organisers.Newspapers accused Nebiolo of shamelessly favouring Rome's bid for the 2004 Games. As the spiritual home of the Olympics, Athens was bitterly disappointed not to get the 1996 games.

Christie content with retirement

ZURICH: Linford Christie has said that he was not excited about running anymore and confirmed his retirement as well as his desire to pursue his coaching career.Christie announced his retirement - not for the first time - on Saturday and said that he was happy with the decision.The 37-year-old Briton, who attended the recently-ended Athens World Championships as a television analyst, said he had not felt frustrated by not being on the track.

Christie will now concentrate on coaching several leading athletes including Namibian Frankie Fredericks, Jamaican Merlene Ottey and Briton Jamie Baulch. ``I've been in the sport since 1979, I've learned a lot and I feel I can pass it on,'' he said.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.