MOSCOW -- The Winter Olympics in Sochi posted a provisional surplus of $261 million, Russian organizers said Thursday. The figure is $119 million higher than a previous profit figure reported in April, but is still dwarfed by the government subsidies given to the organizing committee, valued at $420 million in December. The Sochi organizing committee said its projected surplus is a record for any games. The 1984 Los Angeles Olympics produced a surplus of $232 million. The 2008 Beijing Games claimed a profit of over $146 million, while the 2012 London Olympics recorded an $8 million surplus. The surplus is only from the Sochi organizing committee, which had an operations budget of about $2 billion. It does not cover any construction or infrastructure costs. Russias overall spending for the games totalled $51 billion. Sochi organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said in a statement that all the profit would be "oriented towards the development of sport in Russia," with plans to provide "a significant sum" to Paralympic sports from the profits, plus a lump sum of $17.5 million. The organizing committee promised final results by the end of the year, by which time it expects to wind up its operations and be dissolved. As well as government subsidies, the organizing committee also earned money from merchandizing, ticket sales and sponsorships, including from Russian state-owned companies. . The two were in the batting cage moments before game time. Bautista was taking final warm up cuts. Pillar was hitting soft toss. The one-time utility player turned All-Star pulled aside the clubs young, fourth outfielder and offered him some advice. .That means, of course, that John Wall beat the Spurs for the first time ever — within weeks of his first wins in head-to-head games against nemeses Chris Paul and Derrick Rose.
http://www.mavericksteamofficial.info/j ... ersey/.com) - The disappointing Ottawa Senators hope to record consecutive wins for the first time since early November, as they visit the Boston Bruins on Friday for the opener of a home-and-home series. . FLIP SAUNDERS (Timberwolves): Im not the least bit surprised that he appointed himself as head coach after his search concluded. . Gordon reportedly failed another drug test and is facing a one-year ban. Gordon led the NFL in yards receiving last season despite being suspended two games for violating the leagues substance-abuse policy.LONDON - It has been a year of firsts for Kei Nishikori. After becoming the first Asian player to qualify for the ATP Finals, the Japanese newcomer claimed his maiden win at the elite tournament on Sunday with a first win over local favourite Andy Murray.Nishikori, who also reached his first Grand Slam final earlier this year at the U.S. Open, has turned into a major player on the Tour this season, claiming four titles to climb to fifth place in the rankings after improving the mental side of his game.I think he hasnt made big changes to technique or any of his shots particularly, but hes playing with more confidence, said Murray after his 6-4, 6-4 loss at the O2. Because of that, hes able to take more chances and be a little bit more aggressive than he was previously.The main reason behind Nishikoris breakthrough has been a change in the 24-year-old players approach when facing the top players. With the help of coach Michael Chang, the former French Open champion, Nishikori is now able to leave aside the admiration that paralyzed him on his debut on the Tour.As a result, he posted ten wins over members of the Top 10 this season and defeated Milos Raonic, SStan Wawrinka and Novak Djokovic en route to the final at Flushing Meadows.ddddddddddddAfter turning pro, I was feeling a lot of respect to everybody actually, especially top players, said the 5-foot-10 Japanese, who lives in the United States. The first time I played Roger (Federer), I could not play anything because I respected him too much. I was not going for the win actually. I was just playing tennis with my idol. That was one of the problems I had.One of the smallest players in tennis elite, Nishikori also worked hard to improve his fitness after an early career marred by injuries.Im spending more time in the gym and also on the courts, Im practicing more during the off-season, he said. Even when Im on the Tour, Im trying to do a little bit of rehab and a little bit of training.Placed in a tough Group B along with Roger Federer, Raonic and Murray, Nishikori admitted that he struggled with his nerves early on against the Scot.The stadium is huge, he said. I tried not to look up too much because there were too many people on the top. I started to feel a little bit more confident in the second set, where I was a very, very solid player. ' ' '
