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SOCHI, Russia -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has opened the Winter Paralympics in Sochi against the backdrop of his countrys military action in Crimea. During the athletes parade, the 23-strong Ukrainian team was represented by a lone flagbearer in an apparent protest at the presence of Russian troops in Ukraines Crimean peninsula. The appearance of the flagbearer, biathlete Mykhaylo Tkachenko, drew a roar from the crowd. The Ukrainian team only announced earlier in the day that it would not boycott the games, but said it could pull out if the Crimea situation escalates. A lavish ceremony based on the mythical firebird of Russian folklore marked the start of the 11th Winter Paralympics, a 10-day event featuring 547 athletes from 45 countries. Putin stood at a microphone in front of a capacity crowd at the Fisht Olympic Stadium and announced: "I declare open the Winter Paralympic Games 2014, Sochi." .com) - John Wall supplied 24 points and 11 assists in leading the Washington Wizards to a 102-91 win over the New York Knicks on Christmas Day. . The Ravens werent about to let it happen again. Carleton picked up its fourth straight national mens basketball title, and 10th in the last 12 years, with a 79-67 victory over its crosstown rival on Sunday. . Hattestad managed to avoid the carnage midway through the mens final, as a crash took out three skiers, essentially leaving two men vying for gold. The Norwegian posted a time of 3:38.39, outlasting Swedens Teodor Peterson, who took silver with a time of 3:39. . Tony Parker had 33 points and nine assists and San Antonio never trailed in a resounding 116-92 victory over Portland, bullying the younger Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. . Kyle Denbrook, a soccer player from Saint Marys University, took the CIS male athlete of the week honour. Stanley, a fourth-year business administration student from Charlottetown, scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Dalhousie on Friday and tallied again in a 1-0 win over Saint Marys on Sunday.Paris, France (SportsNetwork.com) - Paris Saint-Germain will hope to get its domestic season on track on Sunday when Les Parisiens welcome fellow big- spenders Monaco to the Parc des Princes. After coasting to its second consecutive Ligue 1 title last season, things have been a bit more difficult for PSG this time around. The club has yet to lose a contest in Ligue 1 play, but it simply hasnt been firing on all cylinders and sits in fourth place in Ligue 1 with 14 points, five behind league-leading Marseille. PSGs best result of the season came on Tuesday in Champions League group stage play as the club pulled off a 3-2 win over Barcelona at the Parc des Princes without the services of star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The home side opened the scoring against the Catalans after just 10 minutes when David Luiz fired home Lucas free kick, but Barca answered almost immediately as Lionel Messi equalized after a nice exchange with Andres Iniesta after 12 minutes. PSG edged back in front just before the half-hour mark as Thiago Motta took a corner. The Italians ball to the back post took Barcelona goalkeeper Marc Andre Ter Stegen and found Marco Verratti to head home. After the break Les Rouge et Bleu came out with the same attacking intentions. Released down the right, Gregory Van der Wiel drove an excellent cross into the middle where Blaise Matuidi arrived to drill the ball home past Ter Stegen for a 3-1 lead in the 54th minute. But Barcelona came back again as Daniel Alves crossed from the right for Neymar in the area. The Brazilian controlled and fired home in the 56th minute, but PSG held on for a massive result. It was a great match, a great win. We needed the points. We enjoyed a great moment this evening, said PSG head coach Laurent Blanc. The players were more focused and motivated than usual. All the ingredients were there for a great performancce, but we still had to go out there and do it.dddddddddddd I was convinced the team hadnt lost all its virtues. The most important thing for me tonight was to show that we are still a team. We celebrated a great match this evening against a great team that were undefeated and hadnt conceded a goal this season. We scored three goals, it was a great display and were very happy, Matuidi said. I scored but the most important thing was to win. Its a result that shows that Paris is a great team. We know that in the big games, we stand up. But the real sign of great teams is to do it every weekend. We will try to do it. Tonight was a victory for a whole team, a whole club. Its been an underwhelming start to the season for Monaco as well as the principality club finds itself in 12th place with 10 points. Monaco finished as runners-up last season behind PSG, but its been a different story this season as the club is struggling to find goals after the departures of James Rodriguez to Real Madrid and Radamel Falcao to Manchester United. The club is winless in its last two matches across all competitions following a scoreless draw against Zenit in the Champions League on Wednesday and a 1-0 loss to Nice in league play on Sept. 9. A victory in the match that has been dubbed El Cashico due to the clubs high-spending ways would go a long way toward restoring Monacos form and confidence. Also in Ligue 1 on Sunday, Lyon welcomes Lille to the Stade de Gerland, Guingamp battles Nantes, and Saint Etienne hosts Toulouse at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. Saturdays action sees Caen hosts Marseille, Bastia face Lorient, Evian battle Metz. Nice welcomes Montpellier to the Stade Municipal du Ray, while Rennes hosts Lens at the Stade de la Route de Lorient. On Friday, Odair Fortes scored just past the half-hour mark to lift Reims to a 1-0 win over Bordeaux. ' ' '
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