The Belgium Grand Prix is set to be removed from the 1998 Calendar after a Belgium court ruled that they did not have the jurisdiction to suspend the 1999 anti tobacco laws. The organisers have until January 1 1998 to make sure no such law would come into play. They may now go to the Supreme Court, but this will be after January 1.

Jacques Villeneuve added yet another year-end honour to his collection on Monday, as he was named the Male Athlete of the Year by the Canadian Press. Villeneuve was earlier honoured as the recipient of the Lou Marsh Award.

It's the second time in his career that Villeneuve has been named Canada's top athlete in a poll of sports editors and broadcasters. He also won the award in 1995 when he captured the CART championship and won the Indianapolis 500.

Villeneuve became the first Canadian ever to win the Formula One world driving championship, surviving a bump with rival Michael Schumacher in the final race of the year, the European Grand Prix. It was Villeneuve's second year on the F1 circuit after finishing second to team-mate Damon Hill in 1996.

Villeneuve becomes only the second race car driver to win the Canadian honour, joining his late father Gilles, who won the award in 1979.

Villeneuve, who has recovered from a serious practice crash in France two weeks ago, says this honour is special to him because he's now racing in a different series. While taking time out from a skiing vacation in Switzerland, Villeneuve says the team plans to be back on the track testing in early January with very few off-days until the end of the F1 season.

Villeneuve received 78 of 145 first place votes to defeat baseball player Larry Walker, who garnered 54 first place votes. World figure skating champion Elvis Stojko finished third in the balloting with 1996 recipient Donovan Bailey finishing fourth.

Supplied and Copyright by John Marchesan tsn.ca