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MUIR WON’T BE PUNISHED FOR ADIDAS SNUB

EDITED BY MIKE KEEGAN CONTRIBUTOR: Ian Herbert

SCOTTISH middle distance runner Laura Muir was spotted wearing Nike trainers on her flight to Tokyo but will not be reprimanded.

Team GB has a head-to-toe dresscode with sponsors adidas but athletes can seek permission to wear other brands and Muir had obtained the green light. In 2016, heptathlete Katarina Johnson Thompson did likewise but was allowed to wear her Nike trainers as they provided special support for her feet.

A SHOCK in the media centre for one journalist, who walked into the toilet and found a Dutch camera crew filming in the next cubicle. The gadget-heavy toilets in Japan, which feature warmed seats and a variety of water settings, appear to have captured the imagination in the Netherlands. Our man loudly made his excuses and left.

SHOOTING medal hopeful Amber Hill was distraught last week after a positive Covid test destroyed her Olympic dream before she had left Britain. Such scenarios are not limited to the athletes, with one of the group’s press officers said to be ‘devastated’ at missing out for similar reasons.

THE NETHERLANDS have raised a few eyebrows in the Olympic Village with a rather bold approach to dressing their accommodation. While most stick to bunting and flags, the Dutch contingent have put up a large banner declaring their medal count — one which they hope to update on a regular basis. They believe they have a strong chance of smashing their best-ever haul of 25, at Sydney 2000.

MUCH has been made of the plight of the BBC Scotland team, plunged into 14-day quarantine after a passenger on their flight tested positive. They are not the only unfortunate staff from the broadcaster. Three members of the swimming team, including a pundit, are also understood to have received the dreaded ‘ping’.

BBC staffers were quick to go on the defensive after a barrage of complaints over their scaled-back coverage, pointing out that you cannot hammer the broadcaster over the licence fee and then expect them to be able to compete for the rights to major events. If you put to one side the resources blown on nonsense such as cage fighting and eSports, it is a valid point. However, it was hard to feel sympathy yesterday when, as the British women gymnasts were in qualifying action, the main Beeb show was previewing American skateboarder Nyjah Huston. The women’s gym session was dramatic — with the young Gadirova twins superb and Alice Kinsella left in tears.

THE volunteers in Tokyo have already emerged as the heroes of the Games. At every turn, visitors have been greeted by a smiling face and an offer of help. One group, in particular, deserves immense credit. Every day fluorescent-jacketed bus monitors stand in the blazing heat, opposite busy dual carriageways, to ensure officials and media get on their shuttle buses without issue. It is a relentless, moralesapping task and yet it is undertaken with pride and professionalism. They deserve a medal.

SOME of the competing teams have set up offices in the media centre. Team GB have a decent spot in the corner and a large stash of jelly babies, fruit pastilles and liquorice allsorts. Their space, however, is dwarfed by the Americans, who take up the majority of the floor.

ROMAN ABRAMOvICH’S commitment to Chelsea cannot be questioned — and was further illustrated when he took emergency measures to watch a behind-closed-doors friendly with Peterborough earlier this month. Abramovich couldn’t attend the game and Chelsea had no plans to film it. But the Russian was keen to watch, so club officials scrambled to provide coverage and contacted Peterborough for assistance. Posh were streaming the game for their owner in the US and Chelsea wanted a back-up in case the footage being sent to Abramovich’s super yacht in the Mediterranean dropped out. The Blues owner saw his side win 6-1.

EMBARRASSMENT for one Premier League club this week when they posted pictures from pre-season online. One snap featured a player in the background relieving himself in some bushes. It was swiftly taken down.

THE delay in Jadon Sancho’s unveiling as a Manchester United player was down to the winger’s desire to get the coveted No7 shirt. Sancho was officially confirmed as a United player on Friday after they agreed a deal with Borussia Dortmund at the start of the month.

The No7 jersey, worn by Eric Cantona and George Best, is now occupied by Edinson Cavani. Sources have disclosed that manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer declined to ask Cavani to vacate the number for Sancho, who subsequently chose the No 25 shirt (2+5=7). He could inherit the No7 jersey he craves next summer when Cavani’s contract expires.

AMAZON JAPAN have been doing a roaring trade thanks to Team GB’s athletes, who are not allowed to venture into Tokyo for shopping. Insiders say the website has become the go-to place for everything from favourite drinks to Epsom salts and electronics. A daily delivery cart, piled high with boxes, arrives in the lobby to a hero’s reception.

IN 2016, Justin Rose was the talk of the Team GB camp thanks to the pride and excitement he showed at the prospect of representing his country. And it would appear gold medallist Rose’s enthusiasm has rubbed off on Paul Casey. Sources say the 44-year-old, who has three PGA Tour victories under his belt, turned up early for his flight at the airport and was ‘brimming with pride and clearly buzzing to be involved’.

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2021-07-26T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-07-26T07:00:00.0000000Z

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