Black- and Whitelist » Palmer has also given Kvyat his

SOCHI, Russia -- IOC President Thomas Bach accused world leaders Tuesday of using the Sochi Olympics as a political platform "on the backs of the athletes," and of snubbing the games without even being invited. Three days before the opening of Russias first Winter Games, Bach used a hard-hitting speech to call out politicians for using the Olympics to make an "ostentatious gesture" serving their own agendas. Without naming any individuals, Bachs comments appeared directed at President Barack Obama and European politicians who have taken stands against Russias law banning gay "propaganda" among minors. The Olympics, Bach said, should not be "used as a stage for political dissent or for trying to score points in internal or external political contests." "Have the courage to address your disagreements in a peaceful direct political dialogue and not on the backs of the athletes," he said at a ceremony attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin. "People have a very good understanding of what it really means to single out the Olympic Games to make an ostentatious gesture which allegedly costs nothing but produces international headlines. "In the extreme, we had to see a few politicians whose contributions to the fight for a good cause consisted of publicly declining invitations they had not even received." The buildup to the Olympics has been overshadowed by Western criticism of the anti-gay law and Russias record on human rights and other issues, making Sochi among the most politically charged games in years. Obama and key European leaders are shunning the Olympics. Obama, in a clear message against the anti-gay laws, has sent a delegation to Sochi made up of three openly gay athletes -- tennis great Billie Jean King, 2006 Olympic hockey medallist Caitlin Cahow and figure skater Brian Boitano. For the first time since 2000, the U.S. delegation to an Olympics will not include a president, vice-president or first lady. Former Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano leads the delegation. German President Joachim Gauck and French President Francois Hollande are also not coming to Sochi. Neither is British Prime Minister David Cameron. Bach reiterated again that Putin had given the IOC assurances that the Olympic Charter would be upheld during the games and that homosexuals would not be discriminated against. Bach said Olympic values stand against any form of discrimination, including on grounds of sexual orientation. But he stressed the IOC must be "politically neutral without being apolitical" and that athletes must not use the Olympic Village and venues for "political demonstrations." The IOC has come under criticism for not doing more to fight the anti-gay law, but Bach said the committee was a sports organization with limited responsibilities. "We are not a supra-national government," he said. "We are not a superior world-parliament. We do not have a mandate to impose measures on sovereign states." Bachs speech was delivered at a ceremony marking the opening of the IOCs three-day session, or general assembly, ahead of the games. The Germans sharp comments marked a strong contrast with the relatively anodyne, diplomatic speeches of his predecessor, Jacques Rogge. Bach, winner of a fencing gold medal at the 1972 Olympics, was elected in September to succeed Rogge, who served for 12 years. Bach acknowledged there had been "a lot of skepticism in and outside the IOC" when Sochi was awarded the Olympics in 2007. "Now, seven years later, we can see that Sochi, that Russia has delivered," he said. Putin lauded the IOCs decision to bring the games to the Black Sea resort. "We realize what a difficult decision this was to hold the games in a city that barely had 10 to 15 per cent of the necessary infrastructure," he said. "You believed in us, you believed in the Russian character which can overcome all difficulties." "In the space of five years," Putin added, "we built world-class sports venues and city infrastructure that normally takes decades to build." Superstar Shoes Australia .twitter.com/xBTpoAKLJk — Daryl Zerr (@darylzerr) May 29, 2014 @BarDown I give to you the @SquirrelsNCHL aka the Fighting Squirels. Adidas NMD R1 Australia . Lowry and the Raptors officially announced a four-year US$48 million dollar deal Thursday. The deal was reported last week but couldnt be made official until Thursday, when the moratorium on signings was lifted. "They were real factors. I did my homework. http://www.nmdaustraliasale.com/supersta....html.Patterson marked his anniversary by proving his worth — once again.Lou Williams poured in 26 points, and Patterson drained two huge three-pointers late in the fourth quarter, as the Raptors topped the Denver Nuggets 112-107 in overtime Monday. Adidas Superstar Gold Australia . The weekend at Oriole Park has been less kind, with three players suffering varying degrees of injury. The worst ailment of the three, at least optically, is the deep bone bruise suffered by Adam Lind when he fouled a pitch off the top of his right foot in the sixth inning of Saturdays game. Ultra Boost Australia Online . Hamelin overcame a weak start to win bronze in the 500-metre race behind winner Wu Dajing of China and American J.R. Celski on Saturday at the world short track speed skating championship.Jolyon Palmer says there is always pressure in Formula 1 but is confident he can improve after a mixed start to his debut campaign with Renault. After impressing at the season-opening Australian GP, finishing 11th, the Englishman has been out-qualified and out-performed by team-mate Kevin Magnussen in the next three grands prix and even propped up the field in China.Daniil Kvyats demotion back to Toro Rosso has once again proved how harsh the sport can be and with Esteban Ocon set to follow Sergey Sirotkins lead in running in practice for Renault, the pressure is on Palmer. But the 2014 GP2 champion claims that his misfortunes were down to a problem with the floor in his RS16 and after an improved showing in Russia, where Magnussen secured six points, he believes he is moving in the right direction. I had a very good race in Melbourne, I didnt race in Bahrain, and then I turned up to China and someone was already saying theres pressure on, the 25-year-old told Sky Sports News HQs Craig Slater at Renaults test day at Silverstone.The pressure is always on in Formula 1. Theres 22 drivers and everyones looking for performance, the team is pushing hard, were wanting to deliver for ourselves and theres a lot of young drivers that are like me last year, wanting to get in. I put myself under more pressure than anyone else can put me under. I want to do a good job for me. Kevin got points in Russia and I wasnt too far away from him. Im confident Ill be there in the coming races and moving forward with some points. Renault drivers Jolyon Palmer and Kevin Magnussen both think Red Bulls decision to swap Daniil Kvyat with Max Verstappen is unfair.dddddddddddd Palmer has also given Kvyat his support after the Russian was unceremoniously dropped by Red Bull and replaced by Max Verstappen so early in the season.I think its unbelievably harsh on Kvyat, he added. He was on the podium in China, Vettel didnt like it but he did nothing wrong, go a podium for it which is Red Bulls only one of the year so far.In Russia he made two mistakes but didnt qualify far off his team-mate, then on the back of a bad race hes dropped. From my view its brutally harsh. Every race live in 2016 Sky Sports F1 brings you every race live in 2016. Fast and easy online upgrade Also See: The F1 Gossip Column Every race live ' ' '