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The suicide bombings in Russia serve as a chilling reminder of what the Winter Olympics represent to terrorists: A high-profile target with more than 2,500 athletes, some of them world-famous, waving the flags of nearly 90 nations. Black Friday Chris Johnson Jersey . Although Canadian athletes are troubled by the 31 lives lost in the two bombings nearly 650 kilometres from Sochi, they are trying to focus on their Olympic goals and are placing their confidence in the security measures enacted by the International Olympic Committee, Russian organizers and government security agencies. "For the athletes, we feel like well be pretty protected over there," said Hayley Wickenheiser, the captain of Canadas womens hockey team, who will compete in her fifth Olympics in February. "But obviously you think about it and you hope that theyre going to figure out the security issue by the time we get over there." Indeed, the Russians vow the athletes will be safe, even though they will be competing in a city just 500 kilometres away from the roots of an Islamist insurgency that has triggered security concerns for the Games, which start Feb. 7. The country has spent a record US$51 billion preparing for its first Winter Games and has promised to make the Games "the safest in Olympic history." Olympic chief Alexander Zhukov said the bombings didnt spark a need for additional security measures because "everything necessary already has been done." The Canadian Olympic Committee issued a statement condemning the attacks and sending its condolences to the families of the victims. COC president Marcel Aubut also said he had confidence in Russias security measures for the Games. "We have complete faith in the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee in upholding the appropriate security levels at the Olympic Games," said Aubut. "We also believe in their ability to work collaboratively with other governments and National Olympic Committees to ensure that all necessary measures are in place." The threat of terrorism at the Olympics has been in the forefront since 1972, when members of a Palestinian terrorist group invaded the Olympic village in Munich, Germany and killed 11 Israeli athletes. Security rose to a new level at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, which came only five months after the Sept. 11 attacks. Improvements in technology, along with ever-present threats of terrorism, have turned security into a top priority for any country hoping to host the Olympics. "I think Ill be safe out there," said Reginas Kali Christ, a long-track speedskater who will be making her Olympic debut at the Sochi Games. "The IOC and the COC and everyone have taken precautions and it should be good. "Im going to be focused on me so Im going to try not to worry about any of that, really. Ill be just worrying about my process and its all there is to it." Among the security measures Russia has put in place for this years games is a requirement that all ticketholders obtain and wear "spectator passes" while attending events. To get a spectator pass, fans have to provide passport and contact information to authorities. On Monday, IOC president Thomas Bach wrote a condolence letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin in which he expressed "our confidence in the Russian authorities to deliver safe and secure games in Sochi." Meanwhile, a number of Olympic leaders and federations signalled their confidence in the host country. "When we come to Sochi, it will be impossible for the terrorists to do anything," Norwegian IOC member Gerhard Heiberg said. "The village will be sealed off from the outside world. Security has been our priority No. 1 ever since Sochi got the games." The U.S. Olympic Committee works closely with the State Department on its security arrangements. A White House spokeswoman said the United States would welcome "closer co-operation" with Russia on security preparations for the Games. Canadians are also relying on the work of their police and security forces. "I know that the RCMP is in communications with their local police and the COC is in charge of keeping us safe and its not one of my worries and that someone is keeping me safe," said Ottawas Vincent de Haitre, a speedskater who will also be making his Olympic debut. "I think the Olympics are a great international event where everybody performs at their best and hopefully everything goes well." Since the widespread use of metal detectors was introduced to the Olympics in 2002, every subsequent Olympics has brought its own set of challenges and responses. At the Beijing Olympics in 2008, Chinese authorities introduced identity checks for opening and closing ceremonies. In London last year, there were no identity checks, but combat jets patrolled the city, and surface-to-air missiles were set up on rooftops. Russias security effort is greater than those of either of those countries, said Matthew Clements, an analyst at Janes, in a recent interview with The Associated Press. Three-time Olympic ski jumping champion Thomas Morgenstern of Austria said he remembers seeing sharp shooters roaming the woods in Sochi during a World Cup event last year. "Of course youre having thoughts about it. But when we are at the Olympic Games, that will be one of the safest places for sure," Morgenstern said. "I think they are in control." Black Friday Frostee Rucker Jersey . Jay Feely kicked a 41-yard field goal in overtime, and the Cardinals edged the Tennessee Titans 37-34 in overtime after blowing a 17-point lead late in the fourth quarter. Black Friday Tony Jefferson Jersey . Belfort (24-10) needed just 77 seconds to down Henderson in the headlining bout of Saturdays "UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson" event at Goiania Arena in Goiania, Brazil. The fight served as a rematch of the pairs 2006 meeting, which Henderson won by decision. http://www.cardinalsproauthentic.com/Black-Friday-Jj-Nelson-Jersey/ .S. Open champion Justin Rose birdied the first hole with a blind shot he hit to a foot of the pin, and he stayed in front Tuesday until he completed a 4-under 67 for a two-shot lead over Jason Dufner in PGA Grand Slam of Golf.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 ccontact with Russia about the security measures. Cyber Monday Troy Niklas Jersey. 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. 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