WHILE Russia is on the brink of being banned from next year’s Olympic Games in Rio following the latest doping scandal, a total ban of all Russian teams from the 2016 games will not help Ireland’s hopes of getting a place for the country’s show jumping team in Rio.

Ireland controversially finished one place outside the Olympic qualification places at the European championships in Aachen, following an infamous incident involving Cian O’Connor, whose horse Good Luck was hampered by an arena steward.