to make the hard yards.

Posted in IYH Forums by fangxu0220 at 08:39, Oct 27 2015

SOCHI, Russia -- IOC President Thomas Bach paid tribute Tuesday to the victims of the recent suicide bombings in southern Russia that killed 34 people and heightened security concerns for the Sochi Olympics. Bach spoke at a ceremony in the athletes village to urge compliance with the "Olympic Truce," a symbolic resolution urging warring parties to cease hostilities during the games. "We remember and grieve for the innocent victims of conflict, and especially the recent victims in Volgograd," Bach said. "Our presence here today is a rebuke to those whose motives and goals stand in sharp contrast to the spirit of harmony and global solidarity at these games." An Islamic militant group from the North Caucasus region claimed responsibility for the back-to-back bombings in late December in Volgograd, about 640 kilometres (400 miles) east of Sochi, and threatened to strike the Olympics. Russia has mounted a massive security operation to guard the games, which open Friday and run through Feb. 23. Tens of thousands of military and police personnel have been deployed, along with warships, drone aircraft and anti-missile batteries. The U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution in November calling for a global truce during the Sochi Games. Similar resolutions have been passed going back to the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics. "We are not naive," Bach said. "We know our limits." The IOC leader said the Olympic Village is a symbol of peace. "Men and women from different backgrounds, different cultures, different religions and different perspectives live side-by-side in harmony," he said. Bachs use of the term "different perspectives" could be seen as a reference to sexual orientation. The buildup to Sochi has been overshadowed by an international outcry against a Russian law banning gay "propaganda" among minors. Activists and some politicians called for a boycott of the games over the issue. "We must never let politics or other outside forces spoil this spirit," Bach said. Among those attending the ceremony was Russian pole vault star Yelena Isinbayeva, who is serving as the "mayor" of the Olympic Village in the coastal cluster of venues. Isinbayeva made headlines in August at the world athletics championships when she condemned homosexuality, saying Russians have "normal" heterosexual relations. The next day, she said her comments in English may have been misunderstood and that she is against any discrimination. Isinbayeva declined further comment Tuesday on the Russian laws butSvetlana Zhurova, mayor of one of the other two athletes villages in the mountains above Sochi, said the issue had been overblown, was unfairly clouding the buildup to the games and she was fed up with fielding questions about it. Zhurova, the 2006 Olympic speedskating gold medallist , urged activists not to use the Winter Games as a platform for protests. "For the spectators it is more important who wins than whether he or she is homosexual or not," she said. "This doesnt matter. Im sure there will be no problems." Tuesdays ceremony began in embarrassing fashion for the hosts. As Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak prepared to speak, the plastic lectern collapsed onto the ground. Bach drew laughs when he said: "We can see that sport can break down walls this morning." Members of the IOCs executive board toured the Olympic Village, which will accommodate about 2,200 athletes along the Black Sea coast. Two other smaller villages are located in the mountain cluster above Sochi. Bach chatted with athletes, grabbed some lunch in the cafeteria and played table tennis in the recreation room. "The village is really magnificent," he said. "What the athletes appreciate is the proximity to the competition venues. I just spoke to a female American speedskater and Russian ice hockey player and the first thing they say is, We can walk from here to our training sessions." Bach has his own room in the village, keeping a tradition started by his predecessor, Jacques Rogge, though he also stays in a luxury hotel nearby during IOC meetings. "One of the greatest privileges of an IOC president is you can ask for a room in the Olympic Village," Bach said. "Its here where the Olympic spirit lives." <a href="http://www.airshoesusasale.com/air-jordan-11.html">jordan 11 legend blue release date</a>. Marshall, a fourth-year Tour veteran, received a putting tip from his father that helped him navigate the front nine in just 29 strokes. "What really seems to help me go low is my putter. <a href="http://www.airshoesusasale.com/">Jordan 11 Legend Blue For Sale</a>. As the season progresses, the gaps are narrowing and the fields are closing in on the leaders. A week ago, there wasnt an obvious challenger in the mens or pairs event. <a href="http://www.airshoesusasale.com/">http://www.airshoesusasale.com/</a>. 8 exhibition game marking the leaders birthday. Rodman said the game is on track despite the recent execution of Kims uncle in a dramatic political purge. Rodmans visit comes less than a week after North Korea announced the execution of Jang Song Thaek, an unprecedented fall from grace for one of the most powerful figures in the country. <a href="http://www.airshoesusasale.com/">Retro Jordan 11 Legend Blue</a>.com) - The Butler Bulldogs will conclude a two-game homestand at Hinkle Fieldhouse on Monday night, as they face off against the Kennesaw State Owls in a non-conference affair. <a href="http://www.airshoesusasale.com/">Jordan 11 Legend Blue Pre Order</a>. CATHARINES, Ont.LONDON -- The enforced inclusion of No. 8 Ben Morgan for the injured Billy Vunipola was the only change in the England run-on side for the Six Nations showdown with Wales at Twickenham on Sunday. Vunipola came off with a sprained ankle in the first half of the 13-10 win over Ireland two weeks ago and was replaced by Morgan. Vunipola has been ruled out of the last two rounds of the championship. Morgan, as expected, stays where he finishes, and Exeters Tom Johnson, capped five times, takes Morgans spot in the reserves. Coach Stuart Lancaster has said he regards Morgan and Vunipola as "like for like" in their ability to make the hard yards. Morgan became second-choice to the more dynamic Vunipola during the autumn tests, and will make his first start in nine months..dddddddddddd There are six survivors from the run-on side which was pounded 30-3 by Wales in Cardiff last year, denying England the Grand Slam in the tournament finale. While Wales is going for an unprecedented third consecutive outright Six Nations title, England is looking to beat Wales for the first time in Lancasters tenure. The winner on Sunday will play for the title next week, when England heads to Italy. ------ England: Mike Brown, Jack Nowell, Luther Burrell, Billy Twelvetrees, Jonny May, Owen Farrell, Danny Care; Ben Morgan, Chris Robshaw (captain), Tom Wood, Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury, David Wilson, Dylan Hartley, Joe Marler. Reserves: Tom Youngs, Mako Vunipola, Henry Thomas, Dave Attwood, Tom Johnson, Lee Dickson, George Ford, Alex Goode. <a href="http://www.cheapjerseyscustom.us.com/">cheap custom jerseys</a>　 <a href="http://www.wholesalejerseysstore.us/">wholesale jerseys store</a>　<a href="http://www.cheapjerseysown.us/">cheap jerseys</a>　<a href="http://www.cheapjerseysmarts.us/">Cheap Jerseys</a><a href="http://www.wholesalejerseyscc.us.com/">wholesale jerseys</a> ' ' '