Enforcing anti-gay laws the least of Vladimir Putin's Winter Games problems Let the Games begin: Russian President Vladimir Putin has plunged $56 billion in the Winter Olympics. "Elton John is an outstanding person and an outstanding musician," Vladimir Putin declared this week. Millions of our people sincerely love him despite his orientation. Hold me closer, Russian dictator? Count the headlights on the Trans-Siberian Highway? Protesters let their feelings be known. Not quite. It's a new spin on the old "my cousin is gay, so I'm not homophobic." Just remove the word "despite" and you're almost there, Vlad. And what about these pesky Chechen extremists, who are threatening "surprise packages" for those of us who are making the long trip to Sochi for next month's Winter Olympics? Black widow: Russian authorities are hunting Ruzanna Ibragimova. Reports of possible terrorist attacks are now coming in every day. The latest report has Russian authorities hunting four potential female suicide bombers. One of these "black widows" has been described as "having a limp in her right leg, a left arm that does not bend at the elbow and a four-inch scar on her cheek." Her name is Ruzanna Ibragimova, also known as "Salima," and she is the 22-year-old widow of an Islamic militant killed by Russian security forces last year. The Americans, meanwhile, are mobilising warships and parking them in the Black Sea, off the Sochi coastline, just in case they have to go to DEFCON-1. It sounds like something out of a Tom Clancy novel. Disturbing stuff. So far, every Australian Winter Olympian this column has spoken to has dead-batted questions about security. If they're afraid, they're playing very good poker. Holly Crawford, who is a contender in the women's half-pipe snowboard, along with teammate and defending champ Torah Bright, told me this week: "The AOC has a whole lot more information on it than I do. They are obviously still comfortable about the team going, because it's their heads if anything does happen, so I'm comfortable about going. People are paid day in and day out to keep an eye on this. If the AOC is still happy to send the team, then I am good to go. Defending aerials champion Lydia Lassila said: "My first Olympics were in Salt Lake City in 2002, just after the 9/11 attacks in the US. I was feeling scared then, but things ran very smoothly. There's certainly a pervading feeling among some Australian officials that something will happen in Sochi. Will it? Comparisons have been drawn with the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, when athletes and officials were regularly told by family and friends not to go for fear of a terrorist attack that never materialised. A so-called "wall of steel" has been placed around the Olympic site in Russia, which is the equivalent of fencing off the central coast. Security at the last summer games in London was extremely tight. There's a firm belief it will be suffocating in Russia, which is understandable. Putin has plunged $56 billion and staked his political reputation on these Olympics and other international sporting events during the next decade. He wants to make Sochi the Russian version of Monaco. With all this in mind, enforcing his backward anti-gay laws - despite his love of Rocket Man - seems like the least of his nation's concerns. So, too, the International Olympic Committee, which allowed the Games to be held in such a volatile area in the first place. Hopefully, Russia pulls it off despite reports to the contrary. On their best behaviour End-of-season awards nights ain't what they used to be, and the Allan Border Medal in Sydney on Monday night rammed the point home. No atrocities to report. All very tame from our moustachioed, urn-hugging cricketers, according to various sources. The drunkest people were the journos, and that's hardly breaking news. Held at Doltone House on Elizabeth Street, it was a considerably less extravagant affair than previous years, when it was held in the Palladium Ballroom at Crown Casino in Melbourne. The reason is Channel Nine wasn't prepared to stump up the $1 million it has coughed up for the event under the previous broadcast deal. Maybe Cricket Australia should consider handing it back top Nine: the organisers spelt captain Michael Clarke's name incorrectly - twice - on the large screen during the presentations. We can also confirm that Nine's Erin Molan is not dating all-rounder James Faulkner, who joked during a live cross from the event during the 6pm news that she was his date. He actually didn't have one, and The Footy Show host has since been swamped with enquiries about whether she was off the market. As the trophies and medals were handed out, it was impossible not to notice former captain Ricky Ponting appearing on The Project on Ten, an eternity away from his former life. He said sales of his autobiography had hit the 100,000 mark. We checked. It's about 89,000 - but who's counting? Fifita telling fibs I'm appalled and, quite frankly, stunned that someone in rugby league would lie. But that's what Sharks prop Andrew Fifita has been caught out doing, confirming that he has been approached by Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie about switching codes - months after he and his management denied it was ever the case. Equally stunning was this remark from Fifita: "I've accomplished almost everything rugby league has to offer." Except winning a premiership and an Origin series, but close enough. The future of coach Shane Flanagan will not be decided next week, when he officially appeals against his 12-month ban. Next Wednesday, at 5pm, is the deadline for new evidence to be submitted, then it has to be assessed by NRL chief executive Dave Smith, and then the coach can take it to an independent appeals tribunal. We're hearing it could be the end of February - a week or so before the start of the season - before Cronulla know the immediate future of their coach. Lote's $80,000 lifeline Lote Tuqiri has been thrown a lifeline by South Sydney. We're hearing the aforementioned lifeline is worth no more than $80,000. How many matches the 34-year-old winger plays this season is already a source of much debate. Two prominent, respected and sort-of feared eastern suburbs punters are going toe to toe on the matter. They've wagered $1000 with each other about whether he plays 12 games or more. Then, on Thursday morning, as they had their regular early morning lattes, they went again. Punter #1: "You're kidding. I'll have another $1000. Punter #2: "You're kidding. I'll take it. Question & Answer: Mel McLaughlin Network Ten's Big Bash League host has become just as popular as the cricketers she talks about this summer. How many planes have you caught and hotels have you stayed in because of this looney tunes schedule you seem to have? I don't have a number - as I literally hit No.12 in this elevator of my Adelaide hotel with my elbow - but there have been a lot. I've lost track of days and times. Last time I was in Adelaide, I asked the driver to take me to the Gabba. Once, I checked in thinking I was flying to Brisbane, only to realise when I looked at the boarding pass that I was going to Melbourne. It's a bit sad when the flight attendants recognise you and say, ""Back again?!"" But you will miss the finals because you will be in Sochi, right? It crosses over ridiculously. The BBL final finishes and then within minutes they will cross to me in the Ten studio in Sochi. How dare the Russians or IOC not think about the BBL final when scheduling the Winter Olympics. It's actually selfish. For mine, Ricky Ponting has been a commentary revelation. Yes, 100 per cent. He obviously has a presence and aura about him. People have seen how analytical he is. But he's actually a really, really funny guy. All the commentators are. Junior, Gilly, Flem: they all sledge each other so much on and, especially, off air. They just give it to each other. What about Sir Viv? He's as cool as you think. I bail him up to talk about music. He's got fascinating stories about George Best and Bob Marley. He's a Liverpool fan, and keeps his eye on the A-League. He calls me Melancholy, and cracks up at himself every time he says it, even though nobody else knows why. And Adam Gilchrist calls me Ron, as in Ron Burgundy. Are you missing the round-ball game? I am, although I am a Manchester United fan. That's a burden these days. I am missing football a lot. I haven't missed a game of the A-League. It's good to watch it as a fan. ""Well, I'm the best corner in the game! When you try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree, that's the result you're going to get. Don't you ever talk about me."" If you haven't seen Richard Sherman's post-game meltdown with ESPN's Erin Andrews after Seattle beat the 49ers to reach the Super Bowl, Google it. There are plenty of reasons to feel refreshed about the rise of teenage baseline brawler Nicholas Kyrgios, but one can come in something as simple as his Twitter profile: ""Proud Greek, Malaysian Australian professional tennis player from Canberra."" We like the sound of him already. We could never criticise Bruce McAvaney. And Lleyton Hewitt is a whiz. But sorry, Seven, it's time to spear Jim Courier. One of his more bizarre insights this week: ""His body is playing too loudly - he needs to be quiet"." He's the J. Peterman of tennis commentary. At least the one in Seinfeld was funny. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, as they continue their timeless rivalry in their Australian Open semi-final. Of their myriad clashes, this one intrigues as much as any. Every single Australian fan, who should heed these words, you little Anzacs: Under the Southern Cross I Stand. A sprig of wattle in my hand. A native of my native land. Australia, you little beauty. Australia meet England at the Adelaide Oval on Australia Day.