CHRONOLOGY: WORLD BOYCOTT OF SOUTH AFRICAN SPORTS

1948: South Africa's National Party comes to power and imposes rigid racial segregation in sport. 1964: Sporting boycotts begin when International Olympic Committee withdraws South Africa's invitation to 1964 Olympic Games.

1970: International Olympic Committee withdraws recognition of South African Olympic Committee.

1981: South African rugby tour of New Zealand, marred by protests, turns out to be the last major tour.

1984: United Nations Security Council urges member states to ``restrict sporting contacts'' with South Africa. The European Community adopts a similar code the following year.

1988: African National Congress (ANC) begins talks with African athletes in exile to discuss racial unity in sports.

1989: British ``rebel'' cricket tour of South Africa called off midway after nationwide protests led by the ANC.

February 1990: ANC is legalized; Nelson Mandela freed.

February 1991: President De Klerk announces apartheid laws will go by June.

March 10: In a major breakthrough, African Olympic umbrella body recognizes the interim National Olympic Committee of South Africa (NOCSA).

March 27: IOC team visits, gives provisional recognition to NOCSA and gives South Africa 180 days to remove apartheid laws and achieve nonracial controlling bodies for sports.

April: International Amateur Athletics Union arrives on fact-finding mission.

In June: IOC meeting in Birmingham, England, could give South Africa the go-ahead for 1992 Olympics. South African soccer could have first games against African teams.

In November: International Rugby Board expected to name South Africa as host country for 1995 World Cup in rugby.