and manager Gus Poyet put on forward Jozy Altidore in the 74

LONDON -- After all the talk of terror threats, corruption, overspending and anti-gay legislation, the head of the Sochi Olympics is determined to show the world the games will be a huge success. Eric Young Jersey . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations. "History will be made," he said of Russias first Winter Games. With Sochi facing threats of terrorist attacks from insurgents from the North Caucasus, Chernyshenko said the city is the "most secure venue at the moment on the planet" and promised that tight security measures will not detract from the atmosphere of the games. "I can assure you that Sochi will be among the most security-friendly games and all the procedures will be very gentle and smooth," he said in a conference call with reporters. Russia is deploying more than 50,000 police and soldiers to guard the Olympics. A Muslim militant group claimed responsibility for back-to-back suicide bombings that killed 34 people in Volgograd in late December and threatened attacks on the games. "You will see thousands of (security) people around but its important to understand that the Olympics is a global event and the security is also a global multi-national event and state authorities are doing (their) utmost to deliver Sochi as safest for everyone," Chernyshenko said. Referring to the Russian law banning gay "propaganda" among minors, he repeated assurances that Russia will not discriminate against anyone at the Olympics on the basis of sexual orientation. However, Chernyshenko appeared to contradict IOC President Thomas Bach, who said Monday that athletes -- prohibited by the Olympic Charter from political demonstrations or gestures on the medal stand and other venues -- would be free to express their personal political views at news conferences. "I dont think they are allowed by charter to express those views that (are) not related to the sport at the press conference room," Chernyshenko said, adding that organizers had set up a protest zone -- or "Speakers Corner" -- in the city. The uproar over the gay law, as well as criticism of Russias human rights record and Vladimir Putins policies, has led a number of Western political leaders to shun the Feb. 7 opening ceremony and the games. Chernyshenko, however, said the number of world leaders attending the ceremony would be "the highest in the history of the Winter Games." He declined to give the number. The Sochi organizing committee said later in an email that heads of state or government from 52 countries would be attending. Russia is spending a record $51 billion on the games, including the long-term infrastructure investment in roads, tunnels, railways and hotels to turn Sochi into a year-round resort. Critics allege that billions of dollars have disappeared in kickbacks and other corrupt deals. Chernyshenko dismissed suggestions that claims of misspending had tainted the games. "If you come and look around, this is the most state-of-the-art sports facilities in the world," he said. "Everything will be the cutting edge. This would not have been possible if these allegations of so-called corruption were true. The stadiums, the roads, the new hotel rooms -- this infrastructure speaks for itself." Ticket sales have also been an issue, with many foreign fans staying away, raising concerns over the prospect of empty seats. Chernyshenko said more than 70 per cent of the tickets have been sold, with 20 per cent set aside for fans to buy on site at box offices. "Its high demand, long queues," he said. "Im quite confident that the stands will be full." Chernyshenko, who comes from Sochi and has worked on the Olympic project for a decade, said he had no regrets despite all the criticism that has been levelled at the games. "Its a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and now Sochi has really become brilliant and a showcase of new Russia," he said, calling it "the role model, the blue print for the rest of the country to follow." Meantime, Chernyshenko said, Sochi has plenty of snow and the three Olympic Villages will open to the athletes on Thursday. "Were fully ready," he said. "Were in a great shape. Everything is in place. The only thing remaining is for the athletes to come and shine at the venues. Everything so far is perfect." Mike Hampton Jersey .A. remained bitter for Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers on the long flight back home to New York. Charlie Blackmon Jersey . Off-Season Game Plan examines a team facing some challenging times as GM Bryan Murray tries to put together a roster for next season. Perhaps the first challenge facing Murray is that its expected he will be moving out Jason Spezza, a premier point producer who is about to enter the final year of his contract. https://www.cheaprockiesjerseys.us/454t-jeff-hoffman-jersey-rockies.html . 1-9 on TSN. With more than 65 hours of exclusive live coverage, TSN delivers all the action beginning with Draw 1 on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 2 p.SUNDERLAND, England - Arsenal won its first Premier League match in over a month on Saturday, beating Sunderland 2-0 with a brace from Alexis Sanchez after a pair of defensive errors.Sanchez scored in the 30th minute after a mistake from Sunderland centre back Wes Brown, who scuffed an attempted back pass to goalkeeper Vito Mannone. Sanchez raced past Brown and collected the ball to go one-on-one with Mannone, lobbing it over the advancing keeper into the back of the net.The Chilean scored again in second-half injury time after another poor back pass. This time, the ball reached Mannone, but he couldnt control it after taking a touch. The ball bobbled off the former Arsenal keepers boot and Sanchez pounced on it for a simple tap-in.Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger praised Sanchez, saying his star summer signing is swift in the transition from offence to defence and wins the ball back very quickly.He took advantage of the mistakes they made, but hes also got a super quality — hes quickly on your feet which is why he wins many balls that normal players dont, Wenger said.While Arsenals victory wasnt convincing, it was the Gunners first league win since they beat Aston Villa on Sept. 20 and their third overall triumph this season. The London side now sits closer to the top four despite also drawing five times and losing oonce. Quinton McCracken Jersey. .Saturdays win is encouraging, but there were also nervous moments for Arsenal before Sanchezs second goal with Sunderland putting the visitors under pressure while searching for an equalizerI believe we were quite in control as long as we could score the second goal, Wenger said. Of course you (can) concede a goal and drop points, but we didnt do it today — we were focused.Sunderland had a few chances to equalize in the second half. Jack Rodwells header from a long cross in the 52nd nearly beat Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, while Sebastian Larssons long-range shot in the 65th was saved by Szczesny.Sunderland manager Gus Poyet put on forward Jozy Altidore in the 74th in an attempt to salvage a draw. It was the Americans first league appearance of the year, but he made little impact.While Sunderland didnt endure the same 8-0 humiliation it faced against Southampton last week, the home side never controlled the match at the Stadium of Light as Arsenal dominated with nearly 60 per cent possession.Poyet said he was a bit angry about the two defensive mistakes, because he thought his team fought hard otherwise and responded well to last weeks embarrassment.Normally it takes you I dont know how many games to commit one of those mistakes, and we made two in the same game, he said. ' ' '

More blog posts in this category Common

• ey[/url]. In his annual state of the league address before Game 1 of th
• .html[/url] . "Im not even that added up," the 39-year-old Austr
• mondbacks. Recker homered in the seco
• finished the demanding 3-kilometre Kaelberloch
• o the air and land in the back of Coyotes goalie