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. Otis Sistrunk Raiders 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." Ronnie Lott Womens Jersey .The third-seeded Murray, who won here in 2009, will face seventh-seeded Kevin Anderson of South Africa next on the indoor hard court. Howie Long Jersey . The Toronto Argonauts (11-7) look for an opportunity to repeat as CFL champions when they host the surging Hamilton Tiger-Cats (10-8) on Sunday. http://www.footballraidersmall.com/Youth-Maxx-Crosby-Elite-Jersey/ . With just under five seconds remaining - the Raptors having clawed back from a 19-point deficit and pulled within one - DeRozan took the handoff from Chuck Hayes.After the Winnipeg Goldeyes and Trois-Rivieres Aigles Tuesday afternoon game was suspended due to rain, the two teams played a pseudo double header on Wednesday night, and each team won one. The Goldeyes (23-14) beat the Aigles 5-3 in the first of the two games, and then were beaten by the Trois-Rivieres squad 2-1 in the regularly scheduled Wednesday night contest, which was modified to seven innings. In the Tuesday afternoon game, the Goldeyes took the lead in the third, driving in three. The Aigles responded in the bottom of the same inning, scoring two on back-to-back solo home runs. Winnipeg would reestablish their two run lead in the fourth before the rain had its way and suspended the game. The game was picked up in the top of the fifth on Wednesday, and other than the one additional run that Trois-Rivieres was able to drive in, the relief pitching for both teams kept the offensive threats to a minimum. “The bullpen did a good job of shutting the door down,” said Goldeyes Pitching Coach Jamie Vermilyea of the way his relievers helped retain the Winnipeg lead. Goldeyes pitcher Gabe Aguilar who was on the mound when the game resumed was credited with the win. Chris Kissock earned the save, and former Goldeyes pitcher Matt Rusch was charged with the loss. In the Wednesday evening matchup, the only difference between the two teams was an RBI single hit by Steve Brown in the bottom of the seventh. For the third game in a row against the Aigles the Goldeyes took the lead first. Josh Mazzola hit a solo home run to lead off the top of the third inning. Lester Hayes Jersey. Trois-Rivieres Michael Hernandez replied by hitting a solo home run of his own in the bottom of the fourth to even the score at one. Due to great pitching from both starters, the score would remain tied until the bottom of the seventh. “Both starters did well pounding the strike zone, and cutting the ball down,” Vermilyea said. “They didnt let the batters get too many good swings on the ball.” Winnipegs starter Kyle Anderson was able to only give up the one run on five hits as he struck out seven. “When your starter can go six innings and only give up one run, hes going to give his team a chance to win it,” said Vermilyea. Despite Anderson doing exactly that, it was Brown who would be the hero for his team. After Sasha LaGarde got on base on a two-out single, Brown drove him in on a single of his own to walk-off the game. “You have to take advantage of your opportunities,” said Vermilyea in response to whether or not he was surprised that Trois-Rivieres waved the winning run around third base on the walk-off play. “It would have had to have been a good throw from us to take him out at home.” Winnipeg and Trois-Rivieres will wrap up their four-game series Thursday at 6 p.m. After which, the Goldeyes will come home and get set to take on their North Division rivals the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks in a four-game series that starts Friday at 7 p.m. at Shaw Park. ' ' '