Sun Microsystems Inc, Electronic Data Systems Corp and Sprint Corp come together in London this morning to discuss the computer support they are providing for World Cup USA 1994, which they bill as one of the most intensely-followed sporting events ever held on North American soil – well yes, in other countries perhaps, but not in the US: the most encouraging pollster found that 20% of the adult population even knew that the World Cup was taking place in the US this summer, the least encouraging found only 13%, and America’s attitude to soccer and its flagship global tournament is summed up not by President Clinton’s soccer fever is sweeping across America but by the ABC radio network run by Capital Cities/ABC Inc – Daily Mail sports columnist Ian Wooldridge recalls that when the World Cup was awarded to America in July 1988, ABC’s reporter, excitedly phoning in the momentous decision to the news desk was told Not real news – do 30 seconds for the sports programme.
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