Olympic figure skating champion Brian Boitano came out on Thursday, two days after he was named to the U. [url=http://www.officialcoyotesfanstore.com/authentic-kevin-connauton-co yotes-jersey/]Kevin Connauton Jersey[/url] .S. delegation for Sochi along with openly gay athletes Billie Jean King and Cai

Olympic figure skating champion Brian Boitano came out on Thursday, two days after he was named to the U. Kevin Connauton Jersey .S. delegation for Sochi along with openly gay athletes Billie Jean King and Caitlin Cahow. The 1988 gold medallist had always kept his personal life private, saying in a statement that "being gay is just one part of who I am." But President Barack Obamas decision to include openly gay athletes in the delegation for the opening and closing ceremonies -- and not send high-ranking officials -- was widely seen as a message to Russia about its treatment of gays and lesbians. "First and foremost I am an American athlete and I am proud to live in a country that encourages diversity, openness and tolerance," Boitano said in his statement. "As an athlete, I hope we can remain focused on the Olympic spirit which celebrates achievement in sport by peoples of all nations." Russia has come under fierce criticism for passing national laws banning "gay propaganda," and some suggested the United States should boycott the Sochi Olympics in protest. Obama rejected that idea earlier this year, saying a stronger statement could be made by "gay and lesbian athletes bringing home the gold or silver or bronze." But his choices for the U.S. delegation left little doubt about Obamas disapproval of the new Russian law. For the first time since 2000, the U.S. will not send a president, former president, first lady or vice-president to the Olympics. This years group is led by former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, and others in the delegation include U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul, deputy Secretary of State William Burns and presidential adviser Rob Nabors. Of the five athletes in the delegation, three -- Boitano, King and Cahow -- are openly gay. Boitano and King will attend the opening ceremony. Cahow, a two-time medallist in womens hockey, will attend the closing ceremony with Olympic speed skating champions Bonnie Blair and Eric Heiden. "I have been fortunate to represent the United States of America in three different Olympics, and now I am honoured to be part of the presidential delegation to the Olympics in Sochi," Boitano, who is in Europe, said in his statement. "It has been my experience from competing around the world and in Russia that Olympic athletes can come together in friendship, peace and mutual respect regardless of their individual countrys practices." Earlier this month, IOC President Thomas Bach said Russia would set up public protest zones in Sochi for "people who want to express their opinion or want to demonstrate for or against something." Meanwhile, the IOC approved a letter going out to athletes reminding them to refrain from protests or political gestures during the Sochi Games -- reiterating Rule 50 of the Olympic charter, which forbids demonstrations on Olympic grounds. Bach previously said hed received assurances from Russian President Vladimir Putin that gays will not be discriminated against in Sochi. But the Russian law has raised questions about what could happen to athletes who wear pins or badges or carry flags supporting gay rights. Brendan Perlini Jersey . Completely. Two days after releasing Peyton Manning, the longtime face of the franchise, the Colts announced they were cutting four fan favourites: running back Joseph Addai, linebacker Gary Brackett, safety Melvin Bullitt and tight end Dallas Clark. Dale Hawerchuck Jersey . Messis father, Jorge Horacio Messi, is apparently still under investigation for an alleged 4 million euros ($5.3 million) in unpaid taxes from Messis image rights from 2007-09. Messis public relations firm confirmed Spanish media reports that the state prosecutor has asked for Messi to be dropped from the investigation that began in June 2013. http://www.officialcoyotesfanstore.com/authentic-richard-panik-coyotes-jersey/ . According to TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie, the deal will pay Schenn $2.25 million in the first year and $2.75 million in the second year. In 82 games with the Flyers in 2013-14, Schenn scored 20 goals and added 21 assists.TORONTO – R.A. Dickey said it best after Casey Janssens disastrous ninth inning coughed up a 4-2 lead and sent the Blue Jays to their sixth loss in seven games, a 5-4 defeat to the Tigers. "They all hurt," said Dickey, who stood to win after tossing six innings of two-run ball. "From here on in it all matters. It mattered back in May when we were losing a game or winning a game. It matters. It always matters." Yes, all losses hurt and its understood there will be plenty of them over the course of a long, 162-game season. Some will hurt more than others and it has to do with a combination of timing and circumstances. First, the timing: the Blue Jays are about to embark on a stretch of three games in which they will face the last three American League Cy Young award winners. It happens theyll face the three pitchers in order, starting with the most recent. Max Scherzer, last seasons winner, hurls on Saturday. David Price, acquired from Tampa Bay on July 31, was voted the ALs best pitcher in 2012. A road trip begins in Seattle on Monday against the 2011 winner, the man known as "King" and who has a court of yellow-shirted minions down Safeco Fields leftfield line, Felix Hernandez. "Thats a tough one," said manager John Gibbons. "Theres no question. Thats a tough one." The Blue Jays are looking up at the Yankees and the Royals and maybe the Mariners, pending Seattles late result on Friday, in the race for the second wild card spot. Its available to any of the above-mentioned teams and more. Its important for Toronto not to allow too many clubs in-between; that creaates increased difficulty in nailing down that playoff spot. Brad Richardson Jersey. Dont worry about the Orioles for the moment. They were busy blasting the Cardinals all over Baltimore to stretch their lead in the American League East to six over the now-third place Blue Jays. Janssen was hit hard. J.D. Martinez lined a shot to the left-centre field gap to start the ninth. One out later, with Martinez on third, Nick Castellanos caught a hanging breaking ball and deposited it over the left field wall to tie the score. Next up, shortstop Eugenio Suarez belted a go-ahead homer off the facing of the batters eye in dead centre field. Janssen was pulled one out later after allowing an Ian Kinsler double. Three runs on four extra-base hits in two-thirds of an inning. The crowd, and Janssen, was stunned. "My arm felt great," said Janssen. "I felt great and you know what? They beat me." Janssen has pitched to a 9.72 ERA since the All-Star Break. Hes long since over a virus, perhaps food poisoning, he contracted during a vacation to the Dominican Republic. Still, he hasnt been the same. "I havent pitched that great," said Janssen. "Sometimes things can be streaky. Right now it doesnt seem like its streaking in the right direction for me but Ive just got to continue to work, to continue to execute pitches and maybe at times mix up what Ive been doing. The hitters might be adjusting to me so now its my turn to adjust to them. Im not quitting and weve got a long ways to go." Theres a lot of baseball left to be played. Why not start with three games against three of the sports best pitchers? 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