Off Topic » without the services of double

LONDON - IOC President Thomas Bach defended the choice of Sochi as host of the Winter Olympics on Monday and said hes "sleeping very well" despite the terror threat hanging over the games. Bach reiterated his confidence that Russia will provide "safe and secure" games without taking away from a festive Olympic atmosphere. Russia is mounting a massive security operation for the games, which open Feb. 7 amid threats of attacks from Muslim insurgents from the North Caucasus region. "We have full confidence in the host country and we also know that Russia and the Russian (security) services are working closely with different international services in order to ensure that all the participants and spectators in the games can feel safe and secure," Bach said in a conference call with reporters. On a separate issue, Bach repeated that Russia has promised that athletes and spectators will not face any discrimination based on sexual orientation. Russia enacted a law last year banning gay "propaganda" among minors. Bach said athletes are free to speak out on any political issues at news conferences at the games, but are prohibited from doing so on the medal podium or other Olympic sites. "Its very clear that the games cannot be used as a stage for political demonstrations," he said. "The IOC will take, if necessary, individual decisions based on the individual case. On the other hand, the athletes, of course, enjoy the freedom of speech. So, if in a press conference they want to make a political statement, then they are absolutely free to do so." More than 50,000 police and military personnel are being deployed to guard Russias first Winter Games. An Islamic militant group in Dagestan claimed responsibility for two suicide bombings that killed 34 people in late December in Volgograd and threatened to attack the games in Sochi. Russian security officials have been hunting for three potential female suicide bombers, one of whom is believed to be in Sochi itself. Bach said the International Olympic Committee remains in constant contact with Russia about the security measures. Asked whether hes worried, he said, "Im sorry to tell you Im sleeping very well." "Im really looking forward to the first Winter Games under my presidency and Im very confident they will be successful," said the German, who was elected head of the IOC in September, succeeding Jacques Rogge after 12 years in office. Bach compared the security situation to that of the 2002 Salt Lake City Games in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks in the U.S. "In Salt Lake City there were thousands of security people around the place and people still felt fine and appreciated seeing that security was being taken seriously," he said. "I think the security forces can operate in a way that doesnt affect the atmosphere." Bach also defended Russias massive spending on the games. The $51 billion price tag — which includes the cost of roads, railways, hotels and other projects — is a record for any Olympics. Bach said Russia was using the Olympics as a "catalyst" to transform the region and create a winter sports complex for the entire country. Its up to host nations, he said, to decide how — and how much — they invest in long-term infrastructure projects. The spending on the Sochi Olympics has been engulfed in claims of kickbacks and other corruption. On Monday, anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny claimed that Russia spent twice as much as necessary to build at least 10 of the Olympic venues. Bach said the IOC stands "against any form of corruption," adding that he hopes people can differentiate "between just a general claim and concrete information." In general, Bach said, the Olympic atmosphere is building up in Sochi as the games approach. Referring to concerns about warm weather in the subtropical area, he said there was "plenty of snow" and more was forecast for later in the week. "I think overall we can say Sochi is ready to welcome the best winter athletes of the world," Bach said. China Shoes Store .com) - The Atlanta Hawks have stepped up to every challenge during their 14-game winning streak and will face another daunting task Friday with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder in town. Fake China Shoes .com) - Joique Bells touchdown run in the fourth quarter gave the Detroit Lions a 20-14 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday. https://www.chinashoes.us/. 17.A string of English Premier League teams, most in the lower end of the standings, has been linked to the 32-year-old forward but most have seemingly balked at the cost given his wages and transfer fee. China Shoes To USA . LOUIS - The St. China Shoes . -- Challenged for the first time under Major League Baseballs expanded replay system, umpires got it right.(SportsNetwork.com) - Washington Wizards guard John Wall played with a heavy heart the last time out in leading his team to victory and looks to keep the trend going Wednesday on the road against the Orlando Magic. Wall befriended a young cancer patient, Miyah Telemaque-Nelson, last March and the 6-year-old succumbed to the disease. Walls emotional night produced 26 points on 10-of-17 shooting, a career-high 17 assists and seven rebounds of Mondays 133-132 double-overtime win versus the Boston Celtics. Wall scored Washingtons last 10 points in the second overtime. John Wall is a superstar in this league. Hes grown up before our eyes, former Celtic and current Wizards Paul Pierce said. Pierce scored a season-best 28 points and Marcin Gortat finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Wizards, winners in five of the last six games. Kris Humphries and Bradley Beal netted 17 and 14 points, respectively. Wall is second in the NBA with 10.4 assists per game and has at least 12 in each of the previous five games. He is the first player in franchise lore to hand out that many assists in five straight games. The Wizards are currently tied with Atlanta atop the Southeast standings and are 4-4 away from home this season. They are 11-0 this season when holding teams under 100 points. After their trip to the Magic Kingdom, the Wizardds will return home for three games versus the Los Angeles Clippers, Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves.dddddddddddd Orlando is back home after going 3-3 on a recent road trip. It won for the second straight time with Saturdays 105-96 triumph over the Sacramento Kings, as Tobias Harris led the way with 27 points and Victor Oladipo added 16. I just focus on winning, said Harris, who is averaging 18.9 points and has scored 20 or more three times in the last five games. For me, its all about helping my team win. Evan Fournier and Kyle OQuinn scored 15 and 13 points, respectively, for the Magic, who shot 50.6 percent and took advantage of a Kings squad without the services of double-double machine DeMarcus Cousins (virus). Magic center, leading scorer and top rebounder Nikola Vucevic missed his fourth straight game because of back spasms and is questionable Wednesday. He is amassing an average of 18.6 points and 11.7 rebounds. Vucevic still leads the NBA with 13 double-doubles. The Magic are 2-5 at home and have lost three in a row there. They will play a home-and-home series with the Hawks next. Orlando has lost the first two meetings with Washington this season and will visit the Wizards on Feb. 9. The Wizards have won six in a row in this series and are 9-2 in the past 11 encounters between the Southeast inhabitants. ' ' '