The suicide bombings in Russia serve as a chilling reminder of what the Winter Olympics represent to terrorists: A high-profile target with more than 2,500 athletes, some of them world-famous, waving the flags of nearly 90 nations. www.panthersstore.us.com/Black-94-Kony-Ealy-Womens-Jersey/ . Although Canadian athletes are troubled by the 31 lives lost in the two bombings nearly 650 kilometres from Sochi, they are trying to focus on their Olympic goals and are placing their confidence in the security measures enacted by the International Olympic Committee, Russian organizers and government security agencies. "For the athletes, we feel like well be pretty protected over there," said Hayley Wickenheiser, the captain of Canadas womens hockey team, who will compete in her fifth Olympics in February. "But obviously you think about it and you hope that theyre going to figure out the security issue by the time we get over there." Indeed, the Russians vow the athletes will be safe, even though they will be competing in a city just 500 kilometres away from the roots of an Islamist insurgency that has triggered security concerns for the Games, which start Feb. 7. The country has spent a record US$51 billion preparing for its first Winter Games and has promised to make the Games "the safest in Olympic history." Olympic chief Alexander Zhukov said the bombings didnt spark a need for additional security measures because "everything necessary already has been done." The Canadian Olympic Committee issued a statement condemning the attacks and sending its condolences to the families of the victims. COC president Marcel Aubut also said he had confidence in Russias security measures for the Games. "We have complete faith in the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee in upholding the appropriate security levels at the Olympic Games," said Aubut. "We also believe in their ability to work collaboratively with other governments and National Olympic Committees to ensure that all necessary measures are in place." The threat of terrorism at the Olympics has been in the forefront since 1972, when members of a Palestinian terrorist group invaded the Olympic village in Munich, Germany and killed 11 Israeli athletes. Security rose to a new level at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, which came only five months after the Sept. 11 attacks. Improvements in technology, along with ever-present threats of terrorism, have turned security into a top priority for any country hoping to host the Olympics. "I think Ill be safe out there," said Reginas Kali Christ, a long-track speedskater who will be making her Olympic debut at the Sochi Games. "The IOC and the COC and everyone have taken precautions and it should be good. "Im going to be focused on me so Im going to try not to worry about any of that, really. Ill be just worrying about my process and its all there is to it." Among the security measures Russia has put in place for this years games is a requirement that all ticketholders obtain and wear "spectator passes" while attending events. To get a spectator pass, fans have to provide passport and contact information to authorities. On Monday, IOC president Thomas Bach wrote a condolence letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin in which he expressed "our confidence in the Russian authorities to deliver safe and secure games in Sochi." Meanwhile, a number of Olympic leaders and federations signalled their confidence in the host country. "When we come to Sochi, it will be impossible for the terrorists to do anything," Norwegian IOC member Gerhard Heiberg said. "The village will be sealed off from the outside world. Security has been our priority No. 1 ever since Sochi got the games." The U.S. Olympic Committee works closely with the State Department on its security arrangements. A White House spokeswoman said the United States would welcome "closer co-operation" with Russia on security preparations for the Games. Canadians are also relying on the work of their police and security forces. "I know that the RCMP is in communications with their local police and the COC is in charge of keeping us safe and its not one of my worries and that someone is keeping me safe," said Ottawas Vincent de Haitre, a speedskater who will also be making his Olympic debut. "I think the Olympics are a great international event where everybody performs at their best and hopefully everything goes well." Since the widespread use of metal detectors was introduced to the Olympics in 2002, every subsequent Olympics has brought its own set of challenges and responses. At the Beijing Olympics in 2008, Chinese authorities introduced identity checks for opening and closing ceremonies. In London last year, there were no identity checks, but combat jets patrolled the city, and surface-to-air missiles were set up on rooftops. Russias security effort is greater than those of either of those countries, said Matthew Clements, an analyst at Janes, in a recent interview with The Associated Press. Three-time Olympic ski jumping champion Thomas Morgenstern of Austria said he remembers seeing sharp shooters roaming the woods in Sochi during a World Cup event last year. "Of course youre having thoughts about it. But when we are at the Olympic Games, that will be one of the safest places for sure," Morgenstern said. "I think they are in control." panthersstore.us.com/Black-13-Kelvin-Benjamin-Womens-Jersey/ . -- Boston police have been investigating whether jailed former New England Patriot Aaron Hernandez may have been the gunman in a 2012 double slaying, according to a search warrant request released Thursday. Tre Boston Black Jersey . A collision sent the ball spiralling over to Houstons Giles Barnes just inside the area. Barnes sent a sliding pass back to Will Bruin, whose shot deflected off Impact defender Eric Millers foot and bounded over goalkeeper Troy Perkins. CLEVELAND -- The Washington Wizards are finally getting some answers. The Cleveland Cavaliers are still looking for solutions. Bradley Beal scored 26 points and Nene added 24, leading the Wizards to a 98-91 win on Wednesday night as Clevelands comeback from a 27-point deficit fell short. Washington, which broke a four-game losing streak on Tuesday, took control in the first quarter and appeared to be on their way to an easy win. The Wizards were ahead 56-38 at halftime, and pushed the margin to 27 points in the third quarter before the Cavaliers finally woke up. Cleveland trailed 86-71 midway through the fourth before Kyrie Irving scored 11 straight points to cut the deficit to four points with 2:56 remaining. The Cavaliers got no closer, however, and lost for the fourth time in five games. "It was rocky, but you can expect things like that in any NBA game," Beal said. "We played well for 40 minutes, but we went away from our principles after that. Cleveland did a nice job getting back in it. Fortunately, we pulled it back together before the end." Irving scored 18 of his game-high 28 points in the fourth quarter, but that wasnt enough. "We had to make them uncomfortable from the start of the game, not from the end of the third quarter," he said. Marcin Gortats two free throws with 1:16 left extended the lead to 92-86, and Beal added two free throws with 32.8 seconds remaining to put the game away. John Wall and Martell Webster both scored 15 points for Washington, which has won two straight for the second time this season. The Wizards held a players meeting Tuesday, which has paid off in the short run. "Thats how you get in position to make the playoffs," Wizards coach Randy Wittman said. "Youre tired, you get in late, but you make that effort to win the game from the start." The Cavaliers beat the Wizards in overtime on Saturday when Irving matched his career high with 41 points. Clevelands players held a meeting after last weeks 29-point loss too Minnesota. Kony Ealy Womens Jersey. The meeting reportedly got heated, but several players said no punches were thrown. The Cavaliers werent able to sustain their momentum from Saturdays win, which has led to more uncertainty. "I have to find guys who are going to go out there and give it to me," Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said. "Its a concern for anybody when you dont go out there and compete and play hard." "We dont play hard enough," guard Jarrett Jack said. "Its the effort. Its the one thing you can control. Nobody should have to ask anybody to play hard. If we dont come out here and do our job, this is the kind of result well get." Shooting guard Dion Waiters, who missed the next two games with the flu, returned to practice Monday, but lost his starting job to C.J. Miles while he was gone. Brown said before the game he was pleased with his new lineup, but the switch lasted less than three minutes when Miles left the game with a strained right calf and was taken to the locker room. Waiters entered the game with 9:27 left in the first quarter. Waiters scored 11 points in 31 minutes. Jack and Anderson Varejao both scored 14. Anthony Bennett, the No. 1 pick in the draft, entered the game to begin the fourth quarter with the Cavaliers trailing 80-59. Bennett, who is 5 for 37 from the field, shot an air ball on a 3-point attempt. Cleveland centre Andrew Bynum, who said earlier this month he is considering retirement as he comes back from surgery on both knees, scored two points and had one rebound in 12 minutes. NOTES: The Wizards broke a four-game losing streak against the Cavaliers. ... Cleveland C Tyler Zeller (sprained right ankle) was inactive. ... F Trevor Ariza (strained right hamstring) and F Al Harrington (sore right knee) missed the game for Washington. ... Cleveland, which is 1-6 on the road, plays at New Orleans on Friday and at San Antonio on Saturday. ... Wall had nine assists after tying his career high with 16 on Tuesday. ' ' '
