In a place of politicians, lawyers and bureaucrats mostly painted varying shades of grey, Jack Kent Cooke stood out like the Washington monument in a dime store. One reason was his ownership of the Washington Redskins football team, the one successful and universally loved institution in a city riven by failure and racial segregation. More important, though, he brought unpredictability, flamboyance and excitement wherever he went.

Jack Nicholson, Hollywood's joker in the pack, is 60 next month. In this exclusive interview, he talks frankly about his extraordinary upbringing, his long career and - oh dear - his views on the sex war

Ian Whittell in Cleveland meets two players forever linked to a legend

Shaquille O'Neal is delivering the goods for the Los Angeles Lakers. As to whether the $121m (pounds 75m) the Lakers invested in him will prove to be a success will take another six months to answer at NBA play-off time.

Some of the most intimate details of his life are known to millions; in other respects, the world's most infamous star remains an enigma.

Basketball

The Budweiser League side Manchester Giants have signed the 6ft 8ins Western Samoan forward Frankie Edwards, who has been released after averaging 16 points in his four games for Birmingham Bullets. The 26-year- old replaces American Kirk Baker in the Giants' squad.

Hakeem Olajuwon, the Houston Rockets All Star centre, was taken to a hospital with an irregular heartbeat at half-time of the home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday. He had complained of "jumpiness in his chest''.

Tomorrow's promotion here in Tokyo, headlined by George Foreman's World Boxing Union heavyweight title defence against Crawford Grimsley, becomes a test case for HIV in boxing when the former World Boxing Organisation heavyweight champion Tommy Morrison, diagnosed HIV positive in February this year, makes a comeback bout.

Richard Taylor previews the 50th NBA season that tips off today

Winners and losers of the last seven days

Ian Whittell examines how the Dream Team will cash in after Atlanta

KEN JONES

ATLANTA 96: Despite security fears 'Dream Team' leader shows there is no business like business