The authorities in Berlin have approved plans to restore the stadium used by Hitler in 1936 to stage the Olympic games.

The cost is put at nearly three-hundred-and-eighty million dollars; when the work is completed the stadium will play an important part in Germany's bid to host the football World Cup finals in 2006.

Although regularly used, the stadium has been falling into disrepair since its Olympic heyday -- an occasion best remembered for the four gold medals won by the black American athlete, Jesse Owens.