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He relishes the idea of building a team
Topic Started: Dec 6 2012, 07:28 AM (50 Views)
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Three years ago, American Gabrielle Douglas was an anonymous gymnast moving away from her family, hoping to improve her skill level. Arian Foster NFL Jersey . Today, she solidified her place in history as the first African-American woman to win an Olympic all-around title at the London 2012 Olympic Games, shattering records in the process. "It just feels amazing," said Douglas. "All the hard work and dedication pays off." It is the first time a country has won the all-around title in three consecutive Olympic Games in more than 50 years, and the first time an American has won both the team and all-around gold at a single Games. "And the smile that can light up a stadium has lit up the nation," said CTVOlympics gymnastics analyst Kyle Shewfelt. "Shes going to be on the cover of every single magazine tomorrow and she is so deserving." Victoria Komova of Russia won the silver medal, while Aliya Mustafina of Russia won bronze. "I really wanted to achieve gold, but unfortunately I didnt manage it," said Komova. "The mood is really that of disappointment." It was a head-to-head race between the Americans and Russians from the beginning. Then in the third rotation, Mustafina fell off the balance beam, seemingly putting her out of contention for a medal. But after nailing her floor routine in the final rotation, Mustafina tumbled back into the game. Mustafina and Alexandra Raisman of the United States were tied for the bronze medal position in their overall scores, but Mustafinas higher execution score won her the tie-breaker. "Im trying to be positive about it," Raisman said of her missed medal. "I feel sad because I was so close to getting a medal, but Im still fourth in the world so Im really proud about that. "Im really proud of Gabby, she did an amazing job today." It was a hard-earned victory for all three gymnasts that stood on the podium, each of whom is no stranger to sacrifice in their journey to the Games. At just 14 years old, Douglas left her home and family in Virginia Beach, VA behind to train with elite gymnastics coach Liang Chow in West Des Moines, IA. Chows reputation preceded him. He has coached numerous elite gymnasts, including Beijing 2008 all-around silver medallist Shawn Johnson. Though it meant disrupting her personal life, Douglas excelled under Chows instruction. She beat the reigning World Champion, Jordyn Wieber, at US Olympic Trials to snag the automatic first spot on the American Olympic team. Wieber may have been the favourite heading into London 2012, but all eyes were on Douglas, to see if she could top her once more. Douglas delivered. Mustafina, who is usually a steel-faced competitor, could not help but grin on the podium as her bronze medal was presented to her. Just a few short months ago, her victory looked like an impossibility after she sunk the Russian team at European Championships, still not fully recovered from an ACL tear last year. But Mustafinas loss was Komovas gain. Having been overshadowed by Mustafina for most of her career - especially after the 2010 World Championships, when Mustafina won the all-around title and was heralded as the next Svetlana Khorkina - Komova was more than ready to step in to her shoes. Komova flourished in Mustafinas fall from dominance, emerging as a strong contender for the all-around gold in podium training when she showcased upgraded difficulty on almost all of her apparatus routines. But in the end, she could not match Douglass difficulty, leaving the floor in tears as the final standings were announced at the end of the last rotation. Dominique Pegg of Canada finished 17th in the final, delivering solid performances on all of her apparatuses with her parents and teammates looking on in the stands. 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San Francisco enters the matchup holding a 4 1/2-game advantage on the Dodgers, who led the division as late as Aug.No pressure but Canada is shooting for its fifth straight gold medal at the under-18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, which starts Monday. "Its not pressure, its an opportunity, thats the way were going to present it to them," says coach Todd Gill. The former Maple Leafs defenceman guides this years entry at the tournament, which takes place in Piestany and Breclav, Czech Republic. Centre Curtis Lazar agrees. "Weve got huge steps to follow but we just dont let that get to us," said the Edmonton Oil Kings forward. "If we go out there and play our game well get the job done." Canada has dominated the summer tournament since its inception, winning it 16 times since 1991. Its also known as the Junior World Cup and is unsanctioned by the International Ice Hockey Federation. The sanctioned under-18 world championship takes place each year when most of the best Canadian and U.S. players are still involved in various playoffs. Its been old home week for Lazar, one of nine WHL members on the team, the largest single contingent. The Ontario Hockey League contributed seven players and six are drawn from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Scoring talent abounds. Lazar has been practising on a line with Sam Reinhart of the WHLs Kootenay Ice (brother Griffin Reinhart played in the tournament last year) and Max Domi of the OHLs London Knights (the son of former Leafs enforcer Tie Domi). "Thats the strength of our team," Gill says of the crop of strong young forwards selected this year, which also includes Nathan MacKinnon oof the QMJHLs Halifax Mooseheads, coming off his 78-point full-season debut. Brian Cushing Elite Jersey. Gill has had a week to get them playing together and teach a system he hopes will give his team an edge over the others at the tournament. "Youve got 22 new kids learning a system but were very talented up front and hoping that system allows them to score a lot of goals," says Gill. As for the opposition, Lazar says the team really doesnt know what to expect. "Weve just got to be prepared for everything... Well be ready for it," he said. Gill says his players have done their homework but working on preparing the Canadian team has been the real focus. "The thing about the European teams is a lot of them all play the same systems and dont change very much," he said. "Weve had our video and have been watching it." Gill coaches the OHLs Kingston Frontenacs and was also an assistant coach at the last official under-18 world championship. He relishes the idea of building a team under pressure. "Thats the thing I love about it and thats why I applied for the job," he said. "You need a challenge and obviously this is a very big one. "I was at the world championships in April and it came together over there but unfortunately we just missed it and came away with bronze." Lazar is taking an even-keel approach to his first real foray into international hockey. "Whatever happens, Im going to enjoy the experience and the opportunity to play with 21 of Canadas top hockey players," he said. ' ' '
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