Former Real Madrid and Barcelona player RONALDO accepted an offer from Real Madrid to become an ambassador of the club in South America. Ronaldo "will join a long list of former Madrid players that are carrying out various functions in both the institutional and sporting aspects of the organization" (SPORT, 7/20). ... MINO RAIOLA, the agent of Juventus player PAUL POGBA, has "denied reports of a deal being in place" for the midfielder to join ManU. In a "rare visit" to his Twitter account, Raiola confirmed that reports of a deal being agreed between the two clubs, and subsequently with the player, "are not true." Raiola tweeted, "There is no deal done regarding Paul Pogba, lots of bla bla bla" (London INDEPENDENT, 7/21).
BOLT CALLS FOR STATEMENT: USAIN BOLT has "backed a decision to uphold the ban on Russia’s track and field athletes competing at the Rio Olympics," saying the sport needed to make a statement because "doping violations are getting really bad." Bolt, who will defend his 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay titles next month, "also claimed the exposure of widespread Russian cheating would act as a deterrent" to athletes thinking of taking performance-enhancing drugs. He said, "This will scare a lot of people and send a strong message that the sport is serious about cleaning up. For me if you have the proof and you catch somebody I definitely feel you should take action. If they feel like banning the whole team is the right action, then I am all for it. Rules are rules and doping violations in track and field are getting really bad, so thumbs up" (London GUARDIAN, 7/21).