Sue Barker gives Olympics a miss

While the decision whether to allow drug-cheating Russian athletes to compete in next year’s Olympics remains undecided, one Olympic stalwart will certainly not be travelling to Rio.

Sue Barker, a key member of the BBC’s coverage since the 1996 Atlanta Games, has decided to relinquish her presenting role.

‘i was asked to present tennis at the Olympics again, but i’ve told the BBC i’m quitting,’ she told me at a party for Battersea Dogs home. ‘i want to downsize my commitments to them so i decided london 2012 was my last Games.’

Barker, 59, who won the French Open tennis in 1976, will spend next summer focusing on her coverage of Wimbledon.

‘For me, Wimbledon is the ultimate event,’ she adds. ‘i will also continue to chair Question Of Sport.’