Die Macht » Morgan Frazier (gymnastics) and Natalie

RIO DE JANEIRO -- When rugby sevens was added to the Olympic program for Rio seven years ago, there was an almost instant clamor for gold in Fiji.Finally, the people of the Pacific had a realistic chance of winning an Olympic medal. The pressure has intensified ever since, and so has the focus of the players.Fiji sevens and rugby -- its more than just a fanatical aspect of Fijian life, Fiji coach Ben Ryan said, Its in their DNA.Nobody flinched after Fiji beat New Zealand 12-7 in the quarterfinal on Wednesday, setting up a semifinal against Japan. The winner plays either South Africa or Great Britain for the gold.Ryan laid out the teams sole aim for Rio -- and its not a modest one.Weve got one aim and thats to win gold medal, not silver or bronze, he said. Were No. 1 in the world, were not trying to be arrogant, were saying this is what we want. Silver will be a disappointment as bronze and fourth place.The Fijians have long been the entertainers in sevens rugby, admired for their preference to run the ball from deep inside their own territory and waving the ball around with one hand looking for any chance to unload it with an unorthodox pass.Some critics have questioned the Fijian players ability to handle pressure, particularly at the Olympics where the entire population of the Pacific island nation will be watching or listening to every moment of every game.Ryan said its a mistake to think his team cant handle the extra attention that comes with being favorites at the Olympics.He pointed out that the Fijians have won the Hong Kong Sevens title -- the most prestigious on the calendar -- more than any other nation. Theyve won the last two world series. He said they deal with pressure daily, more than any rugby sevens player in any part of the world.Were in the papers on the front and back pages -- every night were in the 6 oclock news, he said. Everybodys a household name. The pressure is on them in our bubble in the Pacific every single day.Thats not the same with any other team in this tournament, so theyre used to it. Theyre not getting pressure theyre not used to.Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama is in Rio for the games and, just like most Fijians, isnt averse to offering his opinion on matters to do with rugby.I did say to him `there are 12 teams here, theres only one with their head of state here, Ryan said, But hes a great supporter. I can talk to him about (tactics) and hell give me some rugby knowledge. Its great. Its the peoples team.Ryan was coaching England when the International Olympic Committee made the decision to bring rugby back on board for the first time since 1924, but changed the format to sevens -- the faster, abbreviated version of the traditional 15-a-side game.He moved to Fiji in 2013 and began honing the raw materials that already existed -- big, fast men with an innate instinct for the game.The biggest problem Ryan faced initially was the exodus of talented stars leaving with ever-greater frequency to make their livings abroad.So he started putting together the nucleus of a squad around his captain Osea Kolinisau and planned to bolster it sometimes with returning players such as Josua the Fijian bus Tuisova, who is a star in the French competition.Ryan describes Kolinisau as a role model and religious man who is the cultural architect of the team, and he has come to the fore at the most important moments in wins over Brazil, Argentina, the United States and New Zealand.Kolinisau brings a reverence to the game which Ryan said he admires, and which is a big bond for the team in a deeply religious country.Spiritual is a really good way to sum up how the team operates, he said. The singing in the mornings, the signing in the evenings. The prayers.Its like theres two religions in Fiji, he said. On Sunday theres church and no sport, but every other day theres rugby. Matt Calvert Jersey . And follow TSN.ca right through Deadline Day for all the updates. From Pierre LeBrun While Anaheim GM Bob Murray said earlier this season he was not going to trade Jonas Hiller despite the fact hes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, some sources have told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun that Murray might be willing to move another goalie. Colorado Avalanche Jerseys . Bradwell was scheduled to become a free agent Tuesday. Born and raised in Toronto, Bradwell is entering his sixth CFL season, with all six played for his hometown Argonauts. http://www.hockeyavalanche.com/authentic-john-wensink-avalanche-jersey/ . Barcelona also left injured defenders Carles Puyol, Javier Mascherano and Jordi Alba out of its squad for the trip to Glasgow. That means that Marc Bartra will probably start again in the centre of the defence alongside Gerard Pique. Rob Ramage Avalanche Jersey . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level. Mark Barberio Avalanche Jersey .1 million pounds ($61.2 million) on Saturday, giving the beleaguered English Premier League champions a major lift. Birmingham, Ala. -- Twenty-six current and former Southeastern Conference student-athletes will participate in the first SEC Corporate Career Tour to be held in Atlanta Nov. 29-Dec. 1. The event will be held in conjunction with the 2016 SEC Fall Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) meeting.The group is scheduled to visit the headquarters and meet with executives and talent acquisition staff at several corporations in the Atlanta area including Chick-fil-A, Boys & Girls Club of America, CNN/Turner Broadcasting System and Jackson Spalding. Also included on the agenda is a presentation from Serviam Partners President Randy Hain, Growing Leaders, and former SEC student-athletes Ben Troupe and Josh Foliart on leadership and life after sports.The Fall Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) meeting will include a unique first time experience for meeting participants. The meeting will focus on providing a corporate career tour as a part of the SEC Career Academy. Job opportunities and advice will be introduced to student-athletes seeking career options and exposure.During my visit with student-athletes over the past year, this is what they ask for most, said Misty Brown, the SECs Director of Student-Athlete Engagement. The Conference office as well the corporations involved are equallyy excited to offer and participate in this program.ddddddddddddThe attendees include Alabamas Nicole Morales (womens golf) and Zac Rogers (baseball); Arkansas Taliyah Brooks (womens track and field) and Kody Walker (football); Auburns Beatriz Travalon (womens swimming and diving); Floridas Morgan Frazier (gymnastics) and Natalie Hines (womens swimming and diving); Georgias Quintunya Chapman (womens track and field) and Jimmy Hicks (mens track and field/cross country); Kentuckys Danielle Galyer (womens swimming and diving); LSUs Mikiah Brisco (womens track and field) and Logan Rysemus (mens swimming and diving); Ole Miss Alexandra Schneider (softball) and Michael Hilton (football); Mississippi States Blaise Carabello (womens golf) and Charles Taylor (mens track and field); Missouris Lauren Aldridge (womens basketball) and LeRoy Barnes (wrestling); South Carolinas Kaylea Snaer (softball) and Thomas Mayronne (mens tennis); Tennessees Patricia Forrester (womens swimming and diving) and Bridgette Villano (volleyball); Texas A&Ms Sarah Shaw (soccer) and Kohl Anderson (mens track and field); and Vanderbilts Darreon Herring (football) and Delando Crooks (football). 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