A former sports minister has called on the Government’s inquiry into the ticket touting scandal to examine whether there is any need for the Olympic Council of Ireland to exist, after claiming Pat Hickey ran the group “like he was the ruler of a small country”.

A SECURITY crackdown on Sydney’s beaches will be extended over Christmas after further racial violence over the weekend was averted with police arresting seven men with Molotov cocktails and confiscating scores of weapons.

IOC CHIEF Jacques Rogge came to the aid of beleaguered organisers of this year’s Athens Olympics yesterday, saying he had absolute confidence they would be ready to welcome the world’s athletes.