TORONTO - She was a freestyle ski pioneer, a perennial X Games winner who championed womens ski halfpipe becoming an Olympic event. Now, Sarah Burkes legacy will live on in Canadas Sports Hall of Fame. Burke, who tragically died at age 29 from a training accident in 2012, headlined the 2014 class named for induction Wednesday. "I think shed be pretty overwhelmed, shed be pretty humbled by the whole thing," Burkes father, Gordon, said following the news conference. "Certainly, shes had a lot of nice things happen to her lately as far as awards go but this is a special one. "Its for all of Canada. I think shed be grateful." Also selected were ski jumper Horst Bulau, cross-country skier Pierre Harvey, hockey player Geraldine Heaney, figure skater Elizabeth Manley and rugby player Gareth Rees. Wheelchair basketball pioneer Tim Frick and basketball coach Kathy Shields were named as builders. Burke, who spent her early years in Barrie, Ont., before moving to Squamish, B.C., was the first woman to land a 720-, 900- and 1080-degree rotation jump in competition. She was a world champion, a four-time X Games gold medallist and was a driving force in womens ski halfpipe being included at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. But Burke never got the opportunity to compete in Russia. She died Jan. 19, 2012 while training in Utah. Gordon Burke said his daughters induction will only create more exposure for her sport. "That was always something she absolutely pushed for harder than anything else was to get more and more people into it, especially girls," he said. "She loved it so much and had so much fun that she wanted everybody to keep having the same amount of fun she was having. "As long as she knew everybody was having a good time and living life in a good way, she was happy." Manley, 48, who captured the 1988 womens Olympic figure-skating silver medal in Calgary, said her thoughts immediately turned to her late mother, Joan, when she first learned of her induction. "My mom was my best friend and my biggest supporter and its moments like this when you go, Gosh, I wish she was here to share in this great moment with me." Manley said. "But the time between the call and being here made me really appreciate what Ive done. "Sometimes as an athlete we dont sit back and appreciate ourselves enough, were always go, go, go. This is something that has made me really realize I am maybe a legacy in figure skating for this country and many, many years after Im long gone Ill still be remembered. Thats such a great feeling, its really rewarding for me." Manley, a native of Belleville, Ont., was a three-time Canadian champion and a silver medallist at the 1988 world championships. She was also the first female skater in Canada to successfully land a triple-double combination jump in competition and in 88 received the Order of Canada. But Manleys biggest battle came off the ice with severe depression. She has made her fight public hoping it can help others deal with mental illness. "My passion today is working with mental illness and working with teens and youth because I was a teen who struggled and I didnt have that availability to embrace the help that was available for me," she said. "There were years and years of people giving to Elizabeth Manley and I feel now standing here its my turn to give back and thats what Im really about." Rees, a 46-year-old native of Duncan, B.C., was one of the most accomplished rugby players Canada has ever produced. Hes the only man to have represented his country —starting every game — in four straight Rugby World Cups (1987, 91, 95, and 99) and remains among the top-10 in all-time tournament scoring. And until recently, Rees was the Canadian teams all-time leading scorer. Twice he served as Canadas captain at the Rugby World Cup (95, 99) and played professionally for 10 years, winning scoring titles in France, Wales and England. But ever the team player, Rees deflected the praise for his induction to the other players he shared the field with. "This says a lot about my teammates, the things we achieved on the world stage and were able to show the world game what Canadians are all about," he said. "We learned playing rugby here in Canada and were able to take that on the international stage and do well. "Obviously, as a game rugby is getting more recognition in Canada and thats great. I think the values of the game are still as true now as when I started playing and the access boys and girls have to play it is very important. And sevens rugby being in the Olympics has changed all that and its great to see." And although rugby is now an Olympic sport, Rees doesnt long for the opportunity to turn back time and become an Olympian. "I feel Im pretty lucky about the time I played," Rees said. "It wasnt pro when I started, I got my education and then I turned pro and had some good years in Europe so I dont think Id change it. "Sevens is a pretty tough go. I dont know if Id make some of the teams now." . With their coach gone, they finally played offence the way he would have wanted. Amare Stoudemire made all seven shots in the first half, Anthony passed and shot well, and the Knicks shook off the surprising departure of their coach to rout the Portland Trail Blazers 121-79 on Wednesday night, snapping a six-game losing streak. . The third-ranked Lewis, a three-time winner this year on the LPGA Tour, had a 9-under 135 total at Emirates Golf Course in the Ladies European Tours season-ending tournament.
http://www.cheapshoeswebsites.com/. -- Justin Verlander took a no-hit bid into the sixth inning and won his fourth straight decision, leading Detroit over the Kansas City Royals 9-4 Sunday and extending the Tigers winning streak to a season-high five games. . Cellino was ordered by a judge to pay a 600,000 euro ($800,000) fine for evading import taxes on a yacht he purchased in the United States and brought to Italy, the ANSA news agency reported. . Hall joined Bengals teammates for a voluntary workout on Monday. Hes got his mobility back and is on schedule to be ready for the season. CINCINNATI - Bengals cornerback Leon Hall is happy with his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon and expects to be ready for the start of training camp in July.Following a battle that lasted nearly two decades, mixed martial arts has been legalised in the state of New York. It is a major boost for the UFC, which has been leading the fight to be able to hold events in New York, and has already committed to heading there at least four times each year.The New York State Assembly voted 113-25 in favour of approving the return of MMA, which was banned in 1997 by then-governor George Pataki. Back then, MMA was still largely unregulated, and it was not until more rules and safety considerations were brought into effect that many of the 50 states that permit the sport gave it the green light.Nevada, the state in which the UFC holds the majority of their major events, did not authorise it until 2001. Irish star Conor McGregor could soon be fighting in New York This has been a long time coming, and on behalf of our New York UFC, I want to offer heartfelt thanks to those who voted for this bill, said Lorenzo Fertitta, UFCs chairman.Through letters and phone calls, rallies and social media, New Yorks MMA and UFC fans have lent their voices of support. It took a while, but their voices have been heard.We look forward to hosting our first New York event in the worlds most famous arena, Madison Square Garden, home to so many epic sporting events throughout the decades. McGregor & Rousey: What now? What is next for the UFC superstars? The UFC had attempted to push the issue latee last year, when they announced the scheduling of UFC 197 for Madison Square Garden, despite the MMA ban still being in place.ddddddddddddThey had also filed for a preliminary court injunction to allow it to take place, although this was ultimately unsuccessful. UFC could now make its debut at Madison Square Garden The event, which takes place on April 23, was subsequently booked for the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.A number of local fighters will likely feature when the first New York card is held, and one of those could be Chris Weidman.Weidman, a former UFC middleweight champion from Long Island, says that the news is a dream come true. Chris Weidman is excited about the prospect of fighting in his home state Ive been fighting now for seven years, and missing out on opportunities to fight in front of my family, friends and the fans here in New York, he said.Every year you hope and it kept falling through. So for it to finally happen, its a dream come true for me, and its a dream come true for all these New York fans.All that remains is for governor Andrew Cuomo to sign the bill into effect. Cuomo had already included MMA in his proposed state budget for 2016-17, meaning it would be a surprise should he not do so. Also See: McGregor & Rousey: What now? McGregor-Diaz talking points UFC 196 recap ' ' '
