A at the Parc des Princes.LEquipe newspaper reported Monday

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RIO DE JANIERIO -- There will be more than 11,000 athletes from more than 200 countries and territories competing in the Olympics that begin Friday. That means endless great stories and Olympians to follow, but here are our 10 top athletes and events to watch.Usain Bolt, Track and FieldThe fastest man in the world has won gold in the 100, 200 and 4x100 relay in the past two Olympics, but Bolt hurt his hamstring at the Jamaican Olympic trials. Does that mean he wont be performing his signature lightning bolt salute in Rio? Maybe. Americans Justin Gatlin and Trayvon Bromell have the fastest times in the 100 this year (9.80 and 9.84, respectively), with Bolt holding the fourth-best, at 9.88. Hes still the man to beat, though. As Gatlin said, Hes Usain.Bolts first event: Friday, Aug. 12, 100-meter prelims, 8:30 a.m. ETMichael Phelps, SwimmingDespite temporarily retiring after London 2012, Phelps is back and racing in his fifth Olympics (his first was Sydney in 2000 at age 15). Hes 31 and a father now, but expect him to add a couple more medals to his Fort Knox-like collection of gold. Look for other (and younger) Americans, especially Katie Ledecky, to have top performances as well.Phelps first event: Monday, Aug. 8, Mens 200-meter butterfly heats, 12:27 p.m. ETSimone Biles, GymnasticsThe 19-year-old is a three-time world all-around champion and a four-time U.S. national all-around champ, and she will be aiming to continue Americas streak of Olympic women all-around champions (Gabby Douglas in 2012, Nastia Liukin in 2008 and Carly Patterson in 2004). Bet on Biles to win the all-around -- she hasnt lost that competition in three years -- and possibly five gold medals overall.Biles first event: Saturday, Aug. 6, all-around qualification, 8:45 a.m. ETThe EatonsDecathlon world record-holder Ashton Eaton won gold in London and is heavily favored to become the third decathlete to win two consecutive Olympic titles (Daley Thompson did so in 1980 and 1984 and Bob Mathias in 1948 and 1952). He also will be rooting for his wife, Canadas Brianne Theisen-Eaton, to win the heptathlon. They will officially become The Worlds Greatest Married Athletes.Eatons first events: Decathlon begins on Aug. 16, while Heptathlon begins on Aug. 11Beach volleyballMany Olympic sports can get serious, but beach volleyball is always fun, and it is extremely popular in Brazil. After winning gold with Misty May-Treanor at the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics, Kerri Walsh Jennings will go for her fourth with new Olympic partner April Ross. They will face stiff competition from Brazilians Larissa Franca and Talita Antunes. Regardless of who wins, with the music blaring, dancers twisting and fans going wild on Copacabana Beach, this will be one of the most entertaining and fun events of these Games.Beach volleyball events: Mens and womens matches begin Aug. 6, 9 a.m. ETRefugee Olympic TeamDont focus only on gold. There are 10 Olympians who fled Syria, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia for safety and freedom. They will be competing as the Refugee Olympic Team, and they all have fascinating stories. Consider swimmer Yusra Mardini. Her family left Syria when her home was destroyed. At one point during her escape to Europe, Mardini and others had to dive into the sea and swim while helping pull their dinghy to an island. I had one hand with the rope attached to the boat as I moved my two legs and one arm, she told a reporter. It was three-and-a-half hours in cold water. Your ....... is almost, like ... done.BasketballNo, LeBron James and Steph Curry wont be playing, but Kevin Durant, Diana Taurasi and other stars will, and the U.S. mens and womens basketball teams remain the heavy favorites to win gold. The womens side has won the past five gold medals and 41 consecutive games heading into Rio.Basketball: Mens and womens games begin Aug. 6, 11 a.m. ETTeam RussiaMore than 100 Russians have been banned from these Olympics because of doping, with the track and field, rowing and weightlifting teams barred from competition. Still, there will be close to 300 Russian athletes. Will they be booed for the suspicions or cheered for still being here? How many will win? Of those who do, how many will have their medals stripped later, after doping tests?Womens soccerThe U.S. womens team won the World Cup last year and will be going for its fifth Olympic gold in six attempts. The Americans only non-gold tournament was in Sydney 2000, and they are the favorites here. But dont count out star Marta and host Brazil.Soccer: Mens and womens matches, in progressRugbyRugby is returning to the Olympics for the first time since 1924, when the U.S. (yes, the U.S.!) won gold. The Americans arent expected to win this summer, but then again, they werent expected to win in 1924. Among the top contenders to win is Fiji, which has never won an Olympic medal in any event.Rugby: Womens matches begin Aug. 6, 10 a.m. ET; Mens matches start Tuesday, Aug. 9, 10 a.m. ET Cheap Sabres Jerseys Authentic . Toronto has dropped games to Indiana and Miami since a five-game winning streak and closed out a three-game road trip at 1-2. Cheap Sabres Jerseys Online . "I dont know that were close," said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. "I just think, right now, the acquisition cost just doesnt work for us right now. I dont know if I can quantify how far off or things like that that they might be but I would say we continue to have dialogue. http://www.wholesalesabresjerseys.com/ . Los Angeles star goalie survived those perilous gymnastics with no problem, and he eventually backstopped the Kings to a skid-snapping win. Quick stopped 27 shots in his return from a 24-game injury absence, Jeff Carter scored the tiebreaking goal with 7:55 to play, and the Kings snapped their five-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night. Sabres Jerseys China . He was followed closely by David Clarkson, donning red, seconds later. Clarksons actions one night earlier, leaping off the bench in defence of Kessel during a pre-season game against the Buffalo Sabres, will cost him the first 10 games of the regular season. Cheap Sabres Jerseys .ca NBA Power Rankings, ahead of the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs. PARIS -- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he remained faithful to the club despite offers from Paris Saint-Germains wealthy Qatari owners.The main reason behind the Frenchmans 20 years in north London? His enduring love for the Gunners.Why did not I say yes (to PSG)? Because I love where I am, Wenger said on the eve of Tuesdays Champions League game between PSG and Arsenal in Group A at the Parc des Princes.LEquipe newspaper reported Monday that PSG had made three approaches to Wenger since Qatar Sports Investments took over the club in 2011,I know well the owners, but I feel always I remained loyal to Arsenal Football Club because I think its a club that has the qualities I love, Wenger said.----IF AT FIRST...Wenger is starting a 19th consecutive campaign in Europes most prestigious competition. But Arsenal has never won Europes biggest prize, losing to Barcelona in the 2006 final, and the Gunners are looking to get beyond the last 16 for the first time since 2010.Wengers contract with Arsenal expires at the end of the season, but he said his situation ddoes not put him under extra pressure to finally deliver the Champions League title.ddddddddddddIve been focusing on next game. I dont think like that, Wenger said, when asked if his motivation was magnified by his contract situation. I think I played over 170 games in the Champions League and its every time the same: you want to do well in the next one. My personal case is not at stake in that at all.----LETS (NOT) GET PHYSICALWenger admitted his side is not as physically ready as he wished to take on the four-time defending French champions. But he added that the extra experience brought in by new signings Granit Xhaka, Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez has helped his squad transform into a more mature outfit.The squad is between (age) 24 and 30, basically, Wenger said. Thats where you have a good combination of physical strength and experience. But we still want to keep giving chances to young players and keep the mixture right. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '