Playing the odds to try to take control of the elements

Michael Schumacher prayed for rain, Mike Tyson pleaded for a new referee and Brazil gasped for air before three of the weekend's top sporting contests.

Outside elements like the weather, the officials and the altitude were certain to play a big part in the outcome of the French Grand Prix, the heavyweight boxing showdown and the final of football's Copa America.

Great levellers all, their presence can shred the best- laid plans of competitors, coaches and team leaders.

Rain, bath tubs of rain, had already favoured the weak in the Ashes cricket showdown between England and Australia, with the former sneaking a draw in the second Test after frequent downpours.

Schumacher, a wet track specialist, sings in the rain. After dominating a practice session on a slippery circuit he admitted that four cars could beat his Ferarri in dry conditions but, in the wet, he was king.

'The team is going to employ a couple of guys to pray for rain,' said Schumacher, half-jokingly.

It's unclear how many people the Tyson camp took on to convince Mitch Halpern not to referee the World Boxing Association title bout between 'Iron Mike' and Evander Holyfield.