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FOOTBALL | Page 4 AATHLETICSTHLETICS | Page 11 Jose calls on Bolt aims for United fans more glory to get behind at Rio Olympic the team Games Wednesday, July 13, 2016 CYCLING Shawwal 8, 1437 AH Dream comes true as GULF TIMES Matthews completes Grand Tour sweep SPORT Page 9 GOLF Zika risk ‘non-event’ for None of the world’s current top four players will feature at the Rio-bound Rose Summer Olympics next month AFP “But you’ve got to respect their posi- Troon, United Kingdom tion. You do have to put your health and family fi rst from that point of view.” Two-time Masters champion Bubba ustin Rose is hopeful the threat Watson, Henrik Stenson, Rickie Fowler posed by the Zika virus will prove and Willett are some of the players who to be a “non-event” as he ex- will feature in Rio, and Rose hopes golf plained his decision to compete can go on to retain its status as an Ol- Jat the Rio Olympics next month. ympic sport after this year. Golf’s return to the Olympics for the “I’m excited about it, treating it as a fi rst time in 112 years has been hit by a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I hope host of the world’s leading male players that I’ll be able to play again in Tokyo,” withdrawing en masse, with American in 2020, added Rose, who was talking at star Jordan Spieth the latest name to Troon in Scotland ahead of this week’s pull out on Monday. British Open. Rory McIlroy, Jason Day and Dustin Johnson had already withdrawn amid WORTH IT FOR WILLETT fears over the mosquito-borne virus, Fellow Englishman Willett, who also meaning that none of the world’s cur- features on the fi nal list of 60 players rent top four players will feature in revealed on Monday, said going to Rio Rio. was a risk worth taking. “You’ve got more chance of getting The International Golf malaria in South Africa than you have Federation’s president Peter in getting Zika when you go to Rio,” said Dawson admitted on Monday Willett, 28. that the spate of pull-outs “I think the opportunity was obvi- “hasn’t shed golf in the best ously there to be an Olympian and that light” and Rose, 11 in the to me was something that I think was going to be pretty cool. world, accepted that it was “You don’t know how many times unfortunate to see so many you will be in the Olympics, if it will be leading names turn their in the Olympics again. backs on Brazil “I was pretty sure all along I wanted to go play unless the threat would have But Rose, whose words were echoed gotten worse, then it would have been a by reigning Masters champion Danny very diff erent story. Willett, said: “I think the Zika risk is “But from what I understand in going to be one of those things that we speaking to the guys, the threat is less- look back at and think it’s a non-event, ening every day. It’s obviously win- hopefully. ter over there, and the guys are taking “You’re going to get down there and precautionary measures to make sure you’re probably not going to see a mos- things are as safe as possible.” quito in sight. Defending the suggestion that the “But at the same time, no one can event will be less of a spectacle, Wil- stand there and categorically tell you lett added: “You’re still going to get to you’re going to be okay, and that’s the see some of the best golfers in the world problem.” competing, and there are a few that are The International Golf Federation’s going to be missing out there president Peter Dawson admitted on “But I don’t think it takes away from Monday that the spate of pull-outs the event because one or two guys pull “hasn’t shed golf in the best light” and out.” Rose, 11 in the world, accepted that it was unfortunate to see so many leading England’s Justin Rose (left) and names turn their backs on Brazil. compatriot Danny Willett are seen “It’s been sort of a sad situation to together during practice ahead of see those sorts of guys pulling out. It’s the 2016 British Open Golf Champion- obviously weakened the fi eld,” said the ship at Royal Troon in Scotland yester- Englishman. day. (AFP) CRICKET Riaz promises Pakistan will back ‘younger brother’ Amir AFP come full circle if, as expected, he “If you make a mistake it doesn’t back, all the best to him.” London makes his Test return in the fi rst of a mean that you are out of (excluded However, committee chairman four-match series at Lord’s tomorrow. from) this world.” Mike Brearley said Amir deserved an Riaz, who made his Test debut opportunity to make a return to Test akistan’s Wahab Riaz has at The Oval six years ago and also ‘CHEATED’ cricket. insisted Mohamed Amir played in the controversial match at But former Pakistan batsman Ram- “I think he was like King Lear, has the support of all his Lord’s, said Amir could handle being iz Raja, who was commentating ‘more sinned against than sinning’,” teammates as he prepares in the spotlight this week. at Lord’s in 2010, was less certain explained former England captain Pto make his return to Test cricket at “I think he will deal with all those about whether Amir deserved a sec- Brearley in a reference to the Shake- Lord’s tomorrow. things,” said Riaz at Lord’s yesterday. ond chance. speare play. Fellow left-arm quick Amir’s ca- “He is ready to answer with his “I tend to disagree a little bit be- “He was sinning, he did wrong, he reer came to a dramatic halt during performance — and that is what cause I’ve always felt that Pakistan was very foolish indeed. a Test against England at Lord’s in counts.” has a bad history of fi xing and all “But he was misled by senior 2010, when he and new-ball partner Not all of Amir’s Pakistan col- that kind of stuff ,” said Raja, a mem- players and I think there has to be a Mohamed Asif were caught bowling leagues welcomed him back with ber of the MCC world cricket com- gradation in guilt. no-balls to order on the instructions open arms to start with, but Riaz mittee meeting at Lord’s yesterday. “It seems to me that what he got of captain Salman Butt as part of a was adamant yesterday the talented “It’s an emotional subject for me, was about right. He served his time, tabloid newspaper sting operation. 24-year-old now had the support of but on the other hand he is a great he has been in prison, he has been All three received fi ve-year bans the whole touring squad. talent. disgraced and he has been stopped from cricket and together with “No-one is reluctant,” said Riaz. “I’m sure his mates will help him. from playing for fi ve years. sports agent Mazhar Majeed, jail “We all take him as our young Initially there was a little bit of con- “He has also shown remorse and terms. brother — he is a part of our family. cern regarding his comeback among taken part in education programmes Amir, who served three months We are all behind him.” the Pakistan players also because in Pakistan.” in an English young off enders in- He added: “What has happened they felt cheated in a way. Asked if Amir would get a tough stitute, has only featured in the in- has gone now. “Then they calmed down and now reception from the Lord’s crowd to- ternational game’s shorter formats “I want him to take fi ve wickets in they are trying to get along with morrow, Brearley replied: “None of since his return to Pakistan duty in this Test match to get his name back him.” us are without mistakes and he was a January. and to get his image back which has He added: “I stick by my initial young fellow and misled. I hope he’s Pakistan’s Mohamed Amir (centre) stands at the dressing room balcony at Lord’s in London But the 24-year-old’s career will been spoilt. reaction but if he’s making a come- given a generous response.” during the team’s practice session yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, July 13, 2016 CRICKET FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Amir’s career set England’s Root ready to come full circle for number ‘You don’t see many 18-year-olds bowl like he did, he is an exceptional talent’ three role AFP London AFP nearly 3,500 runs in his 42 Tests London at an average of over 52 with nine he fl oppy hair he had as a teen- hundreds. ager may have been replaced by “The way they’ve dealt with a shorter cut and the once clean- ngland batsman Joe it has been really good and it’s shaven face is now home to a Root is confi dent he can given me time to get my head Tgoatee beard. But there was no mistaking cope with the added re- around it. the whippy left-arm action as Mohamed sponsibility of batting at “I feel pretty comfortable go- Amir ran in to bowl against Somerset at Enumber three during the upcom- ing into the series and it’s now Taunton last week or the “airplane” cel- ing Test series against Pakistan.