Pirate Galaxy » could be important -- a lesson the Chie

Australia has flatly rejected calls for an apology over swimmer Mack Hortons controversial comments about Chinese swimmer Sun Yang.A war of words was sparked by Horton, who dismissed Sun as a drug cheat after beating him to claim the 400m freestyle gold medal on the opening night of the Rio Games.China has demanded an apology but the International Olympic Committee says it has not yet received a formal complaint and does not intend to investigate further.Spokesman Mark Adams has also given Horton qualified support.People say many things after competition and theyre entitled to say those things, he said on Monday.Australian chef de mission Kitty Chiller says there will be no apology.Mack obviously has very strong views about the need for clean sport, as every single one of us does, she said.He has every right to express his views and his displeasure in that sense.We have no intention of making an apology.Horton also has the support of other medal-winning Aussies, trap shooting gold medallist Catherine Skinner and bronze medal-winning synchronised swimmers Maddison Keeney and Annabelle Smith, who backed his anti-drugs stance.Im all for clean sport. Everyone should have an equal playing field, Keeney said.I support Mack. Im with him all the way.Horton called his 400m triumph over Sun a win for the good guys, in reference to the dual London Olympic gold medallist serving a three-month ban for testing positive to banned stimulant trimetazidine in 2014.But the China swimming team was unimpressed.We have been noticing what has been said in the past two days by Horton, who launched a malicious personal attack (on Sun), team manager Xu Qi told online news service Chinagate.We think his inappropriate words greatly hurt the feelings between Chinese and Australian swimmers.It is proof of a lack of good manners and upbringing.We strongly demand an apology from this swimmer.Adams said the IOC wanted to encourage freedom of speech but the Olympics was also about respecting the right of others to compete.There is a line somewhere there where people should be free to compete in tranquillity, he said.Chiller said she didnt think Horton would be too fazed by the controversy.Mack is in a pretty good place. Hes got probably his best event coming up in a few days and I know he, like all the swimmers, are focused on their own event, their own lane, she said.I would hazard a guess that it wouldnt affect him at all.Emmitt Smith Jersey . Uniteds eighth defeat of a wretched campaign means Liverpool, which currently occupies the fourth and final Champions League place, could go nine points clear of its fierce rival by beating West Bromwich Albion on Sunday. Charlie Adam scored both of Stokes goals at Britannia Stadium either side of Robin van Persies equalizer, with a miserable day for seventh-place United capped by first-half injuries to centre halves Jonny Evans and Phil Jones that forced them off. Bill Bates Womens Jersey . The Dane followed up his first European Tour title last weekend with eight birdies and just a single dropped shot on Thursday for a one-stroke advantage over South Africas Allan Versfeld and Portugals Ricardo Santos. http://www.shoptheofficialcowboys.com/Elite-Jay-Novacek-Cowboys-Jersey/ . -- About a third of the way through the regular season, the Washington Wizards are at . Darren Woodson Cowboys Jersey . In taking its goal tally to 99 in all competitions already this season, City delivered another demonstration of its lethal firepower at Etihad Stadium to set up a fourth-round match at home to another second-tier team -- Watford. Emmitt Smith Cowboys Jersey . -- Devin Hester is done returning kicks in Chicago.ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- The reality of injuries sustained in the NFL can be harsh.When a player like Phillip Gaines suffers a serious injury, theres never a guarantee a spot will still be available upon his return. The Chiefs third-round draft pick out of Rice in 2014 worked into a starting role by the end of his rookie year and reassumed that position last year.A torn ACL suffered in Week 3 during a loss to the Packers ended Gaines season and clouded his future.Gaines left offseason activities as the presumed second starter at cornerback opposite 2015 Defensive Rookie of the Year Marcus Peters. Gaines and Steve Nelson have split time on the right side with the first team so far in training camp, and Gaines clearly fits into the Chiefs plans.It just feels good to be able to have the opportunity to play, and Im going to try and make the most of it, Gaines said.The Chiefs listed Nelson, a third-round pick out of Oregon State in 2015, as the second starter in the first depth chart released earlier this week.Gaines continues to slowly work back from the knee injury, and Kansas City coach Andy Reid limited his participation in Wednesdays practice, the last one in pads ahead of the preseason opener against Seattle on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium. Reid said he would attempt to play everyone on the roster, and the early portion could provide a first look at how the Chiefs deploy the cornerbacks alongside Peters, who grabbed eight interceptions and returned two for touchdowns in his first season.The Chiefs cornerbacks corps took a hit in the offseason when Sean Smith left in free agency for the Oakland Raiders, leaving a starting spot open, with Gaines, Nelson, Marcus Cooper and a trio of rookies looking to earn playing time. None of those seven players has more than three years of experience.Real talented group. Weve just got to come along, Peters said. Thats what camp is for. As camp goes on, everyone gets a lot more comfortable and the speed of the game slows down and you start making your plays. I love the talent. Everyones out here competing.Gaines started his career in Kansas City with a prominent role on special teams. He started five games in 2014 before a concussion and illness ended his season after 13 games.With Smith suspended the first three games of 2015, Gaines earned a starting spot. But his season ended in the game before Smith retturned.ddddddddddddHe has 26 tackles and no interceptions in his first 16 NFL matches.Nelson didnt play much early in 2015, but Gaines injury and other struggles in the secondary helped him get on the field in 12 games. His biggest moment came in a playoff win against the Houston Texans when he briefly subbed for Peters and broke up a pass intended for star wideout DeAndre Hopkins.Coaches have shown a preference to use Gaines in the slot, making him a potential fit as a nickel defender rather than the No. 1 cornerback on the right side.Despite having only eight tackles to his credit, Nelson could quickly move into that starting role, and coaches and teammates like his fiery attitude and emotional style. Nelson has admitted disappointment with not playing more as a rookie, but Reid has confidence he is ready to assume a much larger role.Hes an energy giver, that kid, Reid said. Hes learning all the fundamentals and technique and battling like crazy. He never gives up on a play. Hes got a short memory.Cooper currently has the No. 2 spot on the depth chart behind Peters. Cooper showed flashes in 2013 with three interceptions, but struggled in 2014 and made just two tackles in 10 games last year.The rookie draft picks sit behind the top four attempting to make their case for a spot in the rotation.KeiVarae Russell (third round, Notre Dame), Eric Murray (fourth round, Minnesota) and D.J. White (sixth round, Georgia Tech) were all taken to add depth at a seemingly thin spot. Currently, Murray and sixth-year veteran defensive back Jamell Fleming, who has played some cornerback the past two years with Kansas City, are listed at safety on the depth chart.Peters, Gaines and Nelson look like the only guaranteed contributors at cornerback, but the depth could be important -- a lesson the Chiefs learned last year while rotating through a multitude of looks.Nothings set in stone until the games here, and from game to game it can change, too, Gaines said. I got hurt last year. At the blink of an eye someone else had to come in. You always have to be mentally prepared to take every rep even if youre not on the field so when you are put in, we just keep it moving.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '