Kritik und Lob » who died Sunday in a boating ac

Usain Bolt believes he must win all three sprinting gold medals on offer in Rio in order to rival Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan and Pele as the greatest sportsman ever.Bolt begins his hunt for an unprecedented triple-triple on Saturday as he competes in the 100m heats of what, in all likelihood, will prove to be his final Olympic Games.After his clean sweeps at both Beijing and London, further golds in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m in Brazil would cement the 29-year-olds place as the most dominant track athlete of the modern era.However, Bolt has far loftier ambitions. The Jamaican is determined to put himself in the pantheon of sporting greats before he retires, but is a Rio treble essential to that quest?Yeah, he told ESPN in London last month. I think it would definitely help and push [my cause] because its big.As any sports star, you have to continue winning, and as this is going to be my last Olympics, unless ... I think I definitely have to win to prove to the world that I am the best throughout the whole of my career.Thats the focus and Im going to get it done.If Bolt celebrates his 30th birthday on Aug. 21 with another three gold medals draped around his neck, he will become the third track and field athlete to have won nine Olympic titles.He would, though, become the first to claim those golds exclusively in sprinting events, and he has been equally impressive in world championships, winning 11 of the last 12 titles on offer.It is that domination of the shorter distances that has edged him past other modern greats of the track, such as Carl Lewis -- who won four of his nine golds in the long jump -- and childhood hero Michael Johnson.Like Pele, Bolt has dealt with early expectations and delivered on his promise, and like Ali, Bolt has paired his accomplishments with a personality that few of his peers can match.But although Bolt has enjoyed a relationship with Puma since he was just 14 years old, he admits that building a sportswear brand to rival Jordans may be beyond his reach.A lot of my friends have said, Usain, you should get your own shoe line, Bolt said. But I said, Listen, Michael Jordan actually played in basketball shoes, so its a lot different to track and field.I actually use spikes, so its much, much different.But if I could get a shoe that could go out there, that would be awesome because I think Im one of the few persons, like Michael Jordan, who actually has a symbol that people actually know, that stands out.His playful antics in stadiums around the world -- including larking around Londons Olympic Stadium with Mo Farah four years ago and?colliding with a Segway in Beijing last year -- have helped cultivate his legend as much as his achievements on the track.But as he contemplates turning 30 -- a prospect the Jamaican is less than ecstatic about -- Bolt is now the elder statesman of athletics. And, it seems, he is keen to help the next generation of sprinting talent.Ive always tried to pass on information to younger kids, he said. Especially because I started out at a young age and Ive been through it all, the injuries, the doubts, the stress, all these things.Ive always tried to encourage younger athletes and give them tips to try to explain to them what they need to do and how hard the road is going to be.Ive really tried my best, and any athlete who comes up to me and asks me information, you know Ill give if they ask. Even [teammate Yohan] Blake, Ive always tried to encourage him although hes one of my biggest rivals.Kurt Warner Rams Jersey . Following a lopsided 5-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, Paul MacLean told reporters that "theres a lack of focus, theres a lack of leadership and theres a lack of preparation" with his struggling team. That came on the heels of Bryan Murray taking the unusual step of going into the locker room at the Prudential Center and addressing the players himself. Gerald Everett Youth Jersey . -- Matt Rupert scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as the London Knights extended their win streak to nine games by defeating the Owen Sound Attack 4-3 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.ramsrookiestore.com/Rams-Cooper-Kupp-Jersey/ .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. Jack Youngblood Youth Jersey . After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. Getting set to go their separate ways for a short Christmas break, the Raptors coach credited his team for their effort on a seemingly impossible three-game road trip, urging them to build on that success when they get back to work at the end of the week. Bobby Evans Rams Jersey . McPhee said that Ovechkins father Mikhail is in stable condition after having the surgery this week and is no longer in intensive care. "Weve told him to stay as long as necessary with your dad," he said. Ovechkin and his Russian national team were eliminated from the mens hockey tournament in Sochi on Wednesday with a 3-1 quarter-final loss to Finland.WASHINGTON -- With Stephen Strasburg not expected to pitch in the National League Division Series and Joe Ross not yet fully stretched out after a two-month layoff, the Washington Nationals are counting on Gio Gonzalez to come through in the playoffs.But in his final start of the regular season, Gonzalez struggled with his command and quickly built a high-pitch count in a 3-0 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks in a rain-shortened game Wednesday.The start of the game was delayed 33 minutes by rain and was later called with one out in the top of the sixth inning after a second delay of 70 minutes.It wasnt that good, but we didnt score any runs either, manager Dusty Baker said of Gonzalezs outing. He had a lot of pitches in a short period of time. He was 0-2 on a couple guys, then went to 3-2. Most of the night he pitched behind.The NL East-champion Nationals have lost two of three to the last-place Diamondbacks and seven of their last 11 games overall.Shelby Miller threw five shutout innings for Arizona and Jean Segura had three hits to reach 200 for the season.Miller (3-12) capped an otherwise forgetful season with one of his best outings of the year, allowing five hits with one walk and striking out five. In his previous start, Sept.23 in Baltimore, Miller threw six scoreless innings in a no decision.I wish maybe I would have done this earlier on but the way I just finished these past couple games is huge and just something to build off going into 2017, Miller said after earning his first win since June 20.I just feel good where Im at. I know where Im at mechanically and stuff so I can go forward into 2017 with more confidence and knowing that Im feeling good.Segura joined Luis Gonzalez as the only players in Diamondbacks history with 200 hits in a season.Just a great feeling, Segura said. Its amazing especially since Ive been bouncing around the couple last years. Im impressed, Im not going to lie to you guys, Im impressed with the way Ive been swinging the bat this season. I dont think nobody expect Id have the season Im having right now.Gonzalez (11-11), Washingtons projected No. 3 starter in the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers, tossed 3 2/3 innings, allowing eight hits and three runs with four walks and four strikeouts.ddddddddddddBaker noted that while the Diamondbacks had a first-ball hitting approach against Max Scherzer on Tuesday, they had a different game plan against the inconsistent Gonzalez Wednesday.Tonight, they were taking, getting deep in the count, Baker said. They ran his pitch count up. They didnt swing at very many balls and it looked like they were trying to wait on his fastball.The lefty threw 100 pitches, but just 56 for strikes.I had some 0-2s that ended up getting soft hits through the hole so its just a tough situation, Gonzalez said. Just cant do nothing about it. Learn to pitch ahead of the count.In his final five starts of the season, Gonzalez allowed 19 earned runs in 23 innings (7.43 ERA) with a 1.78 WHIP.You start the postseason with a zero ERA, he said. Its a new series. New way to look at it.PITCHING FOR A FALLEN FRIEND:Before taking the mound for his final start of the season, Gonzalez said a prayer and pointed to the sky as a tribute to his friend Jose Fernandez, who died Sunday in a boating accident. Gonzalez, a Cuban-American, will leave the Nationals on Thursday to attend Fernandezs funeral in South Florida.TRAINERS ROOMDiamondbacks: RHP Zack Greinke did not accompany the Diamondbacks on their final road trip of the season due to right shoulder soreness. Manager Chip Hale said Wednesday that Greinke is not throwing and he is not expected to pitch again this season.Nationals: Outfielder Bryce Harper was not in the Nationals starting lineup for a third straight game because of an injured left thumb. Harper is considered day to day, but manager Dusty Baker said that he did not want to risk the NL MVP in a wet outfield.UP NEXTNationals RHP Joe Ross (7-5, 3.48 ERA) is scheduled to make his third start since returning from the disabled list Sept.18 against Diamondbacks LHP Robby Ray (8-14, 4.77). ' ' '