REGINA - Olympic gold-medal favourite Mark McMorris is in "great spirits," despite a fall that fractured a rib and nearly derailed his dream. Mike Pouncey Womens Jersey . Don McMorris, the snowboarders father, says Mark is moving around quite well after the incident during Saturdays slopestyle event at the Winter X Games in Aspen, Colo. "When we left him (Sunday), he could bend over and touch his toes because of where (the injury) is at," Don McMorris told The Canadian Press on Monday. "You know a cracked rib in the front, you couldnt do that, but where its at (around the back), he could bend to his toes and could raise his knees up to kind of his chest. "He was really doing better than we all thought. Hes got five or six days before he has to worry about riding and hes got the best people around him." Mark McMorris caught his snowboard on the lip of a rail and went sliding down the bar on his right side before landing hard on the snow during the final. He stayed on the ground for a few minutes before riding down the hill under his own power. It seems the 20-year-old Regina native lost focus. "He probably hit that rail through the week, I dont know 50 times, and never had a problem with it or any of the rails because thats, I think, one of the strongest parts of his riding," said Don McMorris, who was in Aspen when his son fell. "But obviously he was focused on what he was going to do on the jump line because he was going to try something pretty major." Don McMorris says his son didnt hurt much at first, but the pain got worse as the afternoon wore on. Mark McMorris finished with a silver medal at the event, but was "pretty down," said his father. Mark McMorris had said being an Olympian is a dream come true. He was the two-time defending Winter X Games champion in slopestyle. When he was named to the Olympic team earlier this month, McMorris said hes been "preparing like a mad man." The fall raised questions as to whether he could compete in Sochi. "He was really scared, not necessarily about his own well-being, I dont think, but that he wouldnt get to go to the Olympics," said Don McMorris. "That was really playing on his mind and when he does that, he just gets really quiet and doesnt really talk or say much to anybody. "And you could just tell that he was really scared and worried about not getting to fulfil his dream." The elder McMorris says the tough part was waiting to hear what the team doctors had to say. He describes it as an agonizing wait of about three hours. They eventually decided Mark would go to Sochi, as planned. "I cant tell you what he said because that would not be printable," joked Don McMorris. "He was really relieved." A fractured rib usually takes six weeks to heal, so Mark McMorris wont have time to fully recover before the Games start Feb. 7. But his father is cautiously optimistic. "Yes, Im optimistic, (I) have to be," he said. "I mean maybe too optimistic because theres going to be a lot of pain and . . . you dont know how the body will react, but compared to what it could have been, were pretty happy." Rishard Matthews Womens Jersey . One would think advancing in the Amway Canadian Championship on Wednesday would have left some positive residue in the atmosphere. Arthur Lynch Dolphins Jersey . "He had fire in his eyes today," Matheny said. Lynn joined Philadelphias Cole Hamels as the major leagues first eight-game winners, and the St. Louis Cardinals extended the Braves longest losing streak in two years to eight games with an 8-2 victory Monday.MADRID, Spain -- Spains preliminary 30-player squad for the World Cup included most of the key players that helped the country win its last three major tournaments, with Brazilian-born striker Diego Costa the highest-profile newcomer. The defending champions sent their preliminary list to FIFA on Tuesday, with coach Vicente del Bosque to announce the final 23-man squad on May 25. Costa is set to lead the attack in his native Brazil, with Atletico Madrid teammate David Villa and Chelseas Fernando Torres also included, while David de Gea replaces injured goalkeeper Victor Valdes. Fullback Alvaro Arbeloa, who has been part of Spains two European Championship triumphs and its World Cup win in South Africa, was left out despite returning from a long-term injury. Real Madrid teammate Dani Carvajal fills his spot. In all, 18 of the 23 players who were in South Africa were included in the preliminary squad. Spain begins Group B play against the Netherlands on June 13 in Salvador in a rematch of the 2010 final which it won 1-0 after extra time. Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo is also included, although Del Bosque could again opt to use Cesc Fabregas as a "false" striker up front. Villa is Spains all-time leading goalscorer and Torres scored in the finals of its Euro 2008 and 12 victories, but at least one of them is likely to be dropped from the final squad. Del Bosque also called on Spain regulars Juan Mata and Santi Cazorla, with creative Madrid midfielder Isco left out. Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Iturraspe was a surprise inclusion. Andres Iniesta, who scored the winner in the final at Soccer City four years ago, is in midfield alongsidee Xavi Hernandez, David Silva, Koke, and Thiago Alcantara, who was included despite missing the end of Bayern Munichs season because of an injury. Billy Turner Dolphins Jersey. Goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas will play in his fourth World Cup, while Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique will anchor Spains defence. Javi Martinez is also available at centre back or in a holding midfield role alongside Sergio Busquets and Xabi Alonso. With Jordi Alba set to start at left back, Carvajal looks set to fill Arbeloas place on the right, with Juanfran Torres and Cesar Azpilicueta also available. Carvajal has yet to make an appearance for Spain. Spain faces Chile in Rio de Janeiro on June 18 before closing group play against Australia on June 23 in Curitiba. ------ Spain: Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Napoli), David de Gea (Manchester United) Defenders: Juanfran Torres (Atletico Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Raul Albiol (Napoli), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich), Alberto Moreno (Sevilla), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid). Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Jesus Navas (Manchester City), David Silva (Manchester City), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Ander Iturraspe (Athletic Bilbao), Juan Mata (Manchester United). Forwards: Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Alvaro Negredo (Manchester City), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), David Villa (Atletico Madrid), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Fernando Llorente (Juventus). ' ' '
