The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Russia ban decision by Sunday
Russia’s top Olympic official has said he expects a final decision by Sunday on whether the country’s entire team will be banned from the Rio Games over allegations of state-sponsored doping.
The International Olympic Committee is examining the legal options of a blanket ban following a report by World AntiDoping Agency investigator Richard McLaren that accused Russia’s sports ministry of overseeing doping by the country’s Olympic athletes.
At a meeting of the Russian Olympic committee yesterday, its president Alexander Zhukov said: “The issue will be finally resolved by the end of this week, probably on Sunday.”
Zhukov said his committee did not discuss the McLaren report at its meeting and he did not rule out legal action if Russia is hit with a total ban from the Games.
Aberdeen midfielder Niall McGinn has quickly had to become used to his celebrity status after his exploits at Euro 2016.
The Northern Ireland international, who spent much of his 29th birthday yesterday waiting for the plane from the Granite City to Riga for tonight’s Europa League second qualifying round second leg against Ventspils, was one of the standouts for his national team as they exceeded expectations by reaching the round of 16 of the competition before bowing out to eventual semi-finalists Wales.
McGinn, who scored his third international goal against the Ukraine during the tournament, quickly found he and his team-mates had friends in high places, with four-time major winner Rory McIlroy among those keen to lend their support.
He said: “It was crazy to think someone like Rory is immensely proud in how we did as a team when I think what he’s achieved. The support we got from the whole of Northern Ireland was unbelievable.
“Everything was so positive towards us. We knew when we were away that the support we got was great but it didn’t sink in until we got home and had our big parade.
“I never thought I’d be an international footballer so to get advice from someone like Rory, who is on the world stage and in the top three in his sport, was amazing.
“It gives me an incentive to go on and do well. He’s my main idol in golf. I don’t play a lot but I love watching it and I’ve been to a few tournaments – I was in Aberdeen and watched Rory in Abu Dhabi and Dublin.
“I was in Portugal a couple of weeks ago and I met his mum and dad on the plane and ended up playing a round of golf with his best friend, Harry Diamond, and it was Rory who sorted it all out.
“That just shows the nature of the man. I was in Portugal with my agent and I kind of know Harry, who is going to
“Didn’t sink in until we got home and had our parade”
be the best man at his wedding, and he texted asking if we wanted a round of golf.
“We showed up and a buggy was there and the clubs were ready. I knew Rory’s mum and dad a bit from being at a couple of different golf tournaments
TEAM NEWS: MORRIS STILL OUT FOR DONS
and they came over and we had a good chat. It just shows the impact of doing well for Northern Ireland.
“Rory was the main celebrity to congratulate us. He flew out in his private jet and came into the dressing room after the Germany game. While we lost on the night, he was congratulating us on how we’d performed up until then.
“We met up in Dublin for a training camp before we went to France and, after Rory had won the Irish Open, he came in and hit a few balls with the boys and had a Q&A – it was great to speak to someone like that.
“It was good to get an insight into the work he puts in behind the scenes which could benefit us. He’s a down-toearth guy and my manager with Northern Ireland, Michael O’Neill, has done a good thing in the last couple of years by bringing in the likes of the boxer Carl Frampton and the singer Gary Lightbody from Snow Patrol.
“It helps to know how these guys deal with everything, including the media and things like that. It’s an insight into the pressure Rory is under going into different tournaments.
“It was the best moment of my career to get away with my international team and to be part of what was an unbelievable experience. To score a goal topped it off nicely on a personal note.
“It’s been crazy. People are still congratulating me because I’m seeing them for the first time since returning from France.
“The messages of support and congratulations have been unbelievable. We were disappointed after the Wales game but, as the weeks go on, I look back and realise how well we did as a team, even to qualify for the tournament.
“To go there and get one win out of our three tough games and qualify for the last 16 was a great achievement for a country of our size. It just shows what you can do with hard work.” Aberdeen midfielder Kenny McLean reckons there is no chance of the Reds repeating the dismal display that saw them flirt with a Europa League disaster.
The Dons limped into the second qualifying round despite a 1-0 secondleg defeat by Luxembourg minnows Fola Esch a fortnight ago.
Thankfully for Derek McInnes’ men, their 3-1 triumph at Pittodrie a week earlier was enough to see them through to a meeting withLatvian outfit Ventspils.
A 3-0 home win has now given the Reds a comfortable cushion as they prepare for tonight’s return leg but McLean knows their