GM Bryan Murray sounded a little more skeptical. "I dont kno

RIO DE JANEIRO -- IOC President Thomas Bach issued another defense of his handling of the Russian doping scandal Monday, saying the decision not to exclude the entire Russian team from the Rio de Janeiro Olympics was based on human rights and justice.Bach used his speech at the opening ceremony of the IOCs general assembly to address the continuing criticism of the Olympic bodys response to evidence of state-sponsored doping in Russia, declaring that individual athletes cannot be punished for the wrongdoing of their government.This decision is about justice, Bach said. Justice has to be independent from politics. Whoever responds to a violation of the law with another violation of the law is destroying justice.Rejecting calls from anti-doping bodies for a total ban on Russia, the IOC instead gave international sports federations the authority to rule on the entry of individual Russian athletes. The IOC also ruled that any Russian athletes with prior doping sanctions could not compete in the Rio Games, which open Friday.While more than 100 Russians -- including the track and field team -- have been banned from the games, more than 250 have so far been cleared to compete by the federations.We had to take the necessary decisions, Bach said. Because of the seriousness of the allegations, we could not uphold the presumption of innocence for Russian athletes. On the other hand, we cannot deprive an athlete of the human right to be given the opportunity to prove his or her innocence.You cannot punish a human being for the failures of his or her government if he or she is not implicated. These principles are now being implemented, he added.The IOCs rejection of a full ban has been harshly criticized by many anti-doping bodies, athletes groups and Western media.Calls for a blanket ban grew after Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren, who was commissioned to investigate by the World Anti-Doping Agency, issued a report accusing Russias sport ministry of orchestrating a vast doping scheme involving athletes in more than two dozen winter and summer sports.If proven true, such a contemptuous system of doping is an unprecedented attack on the integrity of sport and on the Olympic Games, Bach said. With the Olympic Games just a few days away, we had to take action even though the McLaren report is not yet finished and the Russian side has not been heard yetWe took immediate measures to shed full light on the allegations and more actions and sanctions will follow if necessary.Bach spoke at a ceremony ahead of the IOCs 129th session, a three-day assembly starting Tuesday.He expressed support for South Americas first Olympics, whose build-up has been overshadowed by Brazils political and economic crises and concerns over Zika, water pollution, crime and budget cuts.It has been a long and testing journey to get to this point, Bach said. It is no exaggeration to say that the Brazilians have been living through extraordinary times. The political and economic crisis in the country is unprecedented. It goes without saying that this situation has made the final preparations for the Olympic Games challenging.In a time when the country is divided politically, economically and socially, the transformation of Rio de Janeiro is truly historic. Rio de Janeiro would not be where it is today, without the Olympic Games as a catalyst.---AP Sports Writer Mauricio Savarese contributed.Nike React NZ Outlet . Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek defeated Nenad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (4) on the indoor hard-court at Belgrade Arena. The victory improved the Czech pairs impressive cup doubles record to 14-1. Clearance Nike React NZ .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. http://www.wholesalenikereactnz.com/ . The winner Saturday will remain in the elite 10-team field next year. "We talked about wanting to be disciplined and stick with our game plan and good things will come," Draisaitl said, who had two goals for the victors. Authentic Nike React NZ From China . The Croatian served 21 aces and hit 42 winners against Sijsling, who double-faulted to give Cilic a 4-3 lead in the deciding set. "All the players, they know me and they were really happy to see me and they were really happy that this is over for me," Cilic said. Discount Nike React NZ . Meanwhile, there were huge victories for Sunderland and West Ham over fellow relegation rivals, leaving the battle to avoid the drop up for grabs with the bottom 11 teams separated by just six points. Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres scored second-half goals to seal a fourth straight victory for Chelsea, which climbed above Arsenal and Manchester City in the standings ahead of their games on Monday and Sunday respectively.NEW YORK -- Sundays NHL draft promises to be a boon for some bad teams. There is plenty of quality, with a few players ready for prime time next season. Prying away one of those top picks will be costly. There is rich cream at the top of this crop. "Youve suffered so greatly to end up picking first or second, it better be a heck of deal to have to move that pick, to go back or even to move forward," said Florida GM Dale Tallon, who holds the second overall pick after finishing runner-up to Colorado in the draft lottery. How deep is the Panthers hole? The worst team in the league last season is offering season tickets for US$7 a game, complete with a free jersey and parking. Defenceman Seth Jones, winger Jonathan Drouin and centres Nathan MacKinnon and Aleksander Barkov are seen as the top prospects available Sunday at the Prudential Centre in Newark, N.J. In an unusual turn of events, the Avalanche have said publicly that they are leaning towards the 17-year-old MacKinnon. If thats the case, Florida has first crack at Jones, rated the top North American skater by NHL Central Scouting. But Tallon says Colorados transparency hasnt made their decision any easier. "Were still talking about it," Tallon said Saturday after attending a USA Hockey news conference. "Before I came here this morning, we were still having heavy discussions on it. "Were very fortunate, were going to get a good player. At whatever position and whoever it is, its going to be someone thats really going to fit in with whatever we have coming as far as our prospects are concerned." Nashville president and GM David Poile, whose team picks fourth after Tampa Bay, sees difference-makers on the board. "Were real excited to find out who we get (Sunday)," said Poile. "Because if all goes well, theres about six players that could be what I call franchise players. And theyre the guys that are going to take us to the promised land for the next several years." "This is a great draft," said Tallon. "Were happy that at (No.) 31 (the first pick in the second round), were going to get a really good player too." Carolina picks fifth. Calgary, at No. 6, holds the highest pick among Canadian teams. The Flames also pick 22nd (St. Louis) and 28th (Pittsburgh) in the first round. Edmonton selects seventh followed by Winnipeg at No. 13, Ottawa at No. 17, Toronto at No. 21, Vancouver at No. 24 and Montreal at No. 25. Some have compared this draft to that of 2003, a talent-laden year that produced the likes of Patrice Bergeron, Dustin Brown, Jeff Carter, Marc-Andre Fleury, Ryan Getzlaf, Nathan Horton, Ryan Kesler, Zach Parise, Corey Perry, Dion Phaneuf, Eric Staal, Ryan Suter and Shea Weber. Ottawa assistant GM Tim Murray sees it as a good year, but not 2003 good. "I dont buy into the 2003 talk and that type of thing. But certainly the first round we like. ... I think theres a drop-off. Whether thats the second round or the third round, I think theres a drop-off that in the best drafts we havent seen. What makes a draft great is the depth obviously. "But theres a lot of talent in this draft," he added. "Teams picking high are going to get if not franchise players, impact players." Ottawa director of scouting Pierre Dorion is also less bullish than some. "It is a good draft," he said. "I think a lot of people that dont really scout have built it up to something that its not. I think were going to gett a good player in the first round.dddddddddddd" Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff says its a draft that has something for everyone. "I was talking to one director of amateur scouting yesterday and hes really bullish about deep into the first round and bullish about a lot of different type of players, too," said Cheveldayoff. "I know what our thoughts are, and obviously its interesting to hear his take on what he thought. We didnt talk specific players but you could just tell that universally the people that are making the decisions or at least are recommending the decisions feel very good about it." Jones, who stands close to six foot four and weighs 205 pounds, is seen as NHL-ready, despite only having spent one year in the WHL. "Seth is one of those guys that just comes along every once in a while, when you look at the big defencemen in the league like the Charas and the Prongers," said Dan Marr, director of NHL Central Scouting. "Hes made for todays game under todays rules." Jones, the 18-year-old son of former Toronto Raptor and current Brooklyn Nets assistant coach Popeye Jones, collected 56 points (14 goals and 42 assists) and a plus-46 rating in 61 games, helping Portland to the Memorial Cup final. "Any time theres been a challenge put in front of him, hes met it and hes succeeded," said Marr. The six-foot, 182-pound MacKinnon, like Jones, is a player who rises to the occasion. His ability to accelerate is also remarkable. "Hes got a quickness to pull away with his speed that I havent seen in a number of years," said Marr. The five-foot-10, 186-pound Drouin, another Moosehead, is compared to a young Joe Sakic. "His intuition in the game, his quick read and react, its excellent," said Marr. "Theres not too many players available that read the game and see the ice and can make the play. And he can deliver, offensively and defensively." Other prospects worth watching are defenceman Darnell Nurse, whom Marr compares to Shea Weber, and goalie Zachary Fucale, touted as being cool as ice under pressure. The Avs willingness to discuss their preference with the top pick has drawn a variety of responses. Poile calls it "rather refreshing." "Good on them that they know what they do," he said. Tallon said it makes sense given the character of Sakic, Colorados executive vice-president of hockey operations, and coach Patrick Roy. "Theyre classy guys; theyre very honest guys. Theyre new, they want to have fun. Theyre invigorating, enthusiastic guys and thats the way they are," said Tallon. Ottawa GM Bryan Murray sounded a little more skeptical. "I dont know whether theyre following through with what they said totally or its just easier for them to say this is what were doing and go about doing it." There is no shortage of family ties to this draft. Forward Max Domi, son of Tie, has drawn kudos for his offensive skills. But teams can also get nostalgic and pick up a Bertuzzi, Brodeur, Comrie, LaFontaine, Mantha, Quenneville, Rychel, Subban, or Tambellini. NOTES -- Some 211 players from 12 countries were taken during last years draft. Canada led the way with 99 followed by the U.S. (56 ), Sweden (22), Russia (11), Finland (9), Czech Republic (6), Denmark (2), Latvia (2), Belarus (1), Germany (1), Switzerland (1) and United Kingdom (1) ... Top prospect Seth Jones goes by his second name. He prefers Seth over his first name Jared. ' ' '