Is hosting a major sporting events a blessing or a curse?

Cities worldwide compete to win hosting rights for the Olympics and other major sporting event but are the potential effects on the economy and countries reputation worth it?

When Vancouver won the Winter Olympics they hoped it would be the best games ever. But with the death of a competitor, ticket woes, a string of errors and being blighted by bad weather there has been increased criticism about shortcomings at the games.

On Air: The spirit of sport

It’s supposed to be  FOOTball … but one player used his HAND instead in a game on Wednesday. – it’s caused a diplomatic row, and a lot of soul-searching about the spirit of sport.

Thierry Henry controlled the ball with his left hand – twice – before passing to William Gallas, who scored the goal that takes France- not Ireland- to the World Cup Finals in South Africa next year. And the French striker has just said the game should be replayed

The Irish government isn’t happy, with the country’s Justice Minister calling for a replay.

On air: Shoot first, ask questions later…

Many of you have been talking about South African president Jacob Zuma’s move to let police shoot even if criminals haven’t fired first. We’ll be discussing this on tonight’s programme.

50 people a day are murdered in South Africa. Zuma told station commanders :

“We have an abnormal criminal problem, for that we have to explore extraordinary means”