wever, he said matters off the field were more likely to end his career prematurely, and that he would discuss his fu

RIO DE JANEIRO -- When Andy Murray was chosen to be Great Britains flag-bearer last week, he was understandably delighted. But the responsibility appeared to be overwhelming at times. During a team photograph session, a nervous Murray fumbled and wrestled with the flag, coming close to poking Princess Anne in the eye.It was a rough start for Murray, but perhaps, given the sure-footed way he ended up handling his duties on opening night, a telling one.Rio was full of pulsating moments for the 29-year-old Scot, including several occasions in the tennis tournament, when he was near defeat. But as has been his tendency all summer, he flashed workmanlike consistency. He came through each time when it really counted, never more than in the Olympic final, a hard-fought 7-5, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 win against Argentinas Juan Martin del Potro.[With] the buildup of emotion the last 10 days, Im just happy I got over the line tonight, Murray said. Tonight was one of the hardest matches I have had to play for a big, big title. Emotionally, it was tough. Physically it was hard. So many ups and downs throughout the match.Much of the tennis played this week was clean and crisp. Del Potros upsets wins against Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal were prime examples.Murray versus del Potro was different. This was a battle of attrition. Of mental toughness and smarts. True, there were dozens of incredible moments. Murray consistently retrieved balls that seemed returnable and slapped them for winners. Del Potro hit his forehand with power that often left the crowd gasping.But the tall Argentinian struck 57 unforced errors, and despite his booming serve, he was also broken nine times. And Murray wasnt much better. He had 45 unforced errors of his own, was broken six times and put only 51 percent of his first serves in play -- uncommon for the winner of such an important match.I was tired, Murray said. We played four hours. It was humid and a slower court. I didnt serve well, so that made it tougher. ... I had to find a way to get through it.Make it through, he did indeed. Its becoming a trend.Murrays win set him apart from the competitors to whom he is most closely associated. Nadal has a single gold medal -- from Beijing in 2008, but Roger Federer and Djokovic have never won a singles gold. More than that, Murray achieved history. He is now the first tennis player, male or female, to win back-to-back singles gold medals.It hasnt been easy, because a lot can happen in four years, especially for tennis players, Murray said. We have so many events. Since London, I had back surgery. My ranking dropped a lot during that period, and Ive gone through some tough times on the court as well.The Olympics are unusual for pro tennis players -- and not just because the event is played every four years. There is no prize money, and this year, the tournament did not count toward the official rankings. And yet the prestige that comes with the chance to win Olympic hardware, the chance to shine on the same stage as the best athletes from all over the world, give the tournament deep meaning. You could see it here in the amount of tears shed -- from both winners and losers -- the entire completion. Rio mattered.And for Murray, the tournament firms up his 2016 bona fides. Nobody of late has mounted a sustained challenge to Djokovic for supremacy in the game. We cannot know for sure just yet, but it feels like Murray in current form -- the one that, in the span of two months, has been victorious at both the All England and Rio -- might now have a chance.Djokovic has played amazing tennis the last two years, Murray said. His consistency. ... You know, what I have done for like the last four months, he has been doing for like a whole year. So I need to find a way to keep that going, and the US Open is the next big goal.Since teaming again with Ivan Lendl -- who coached Murray to the Olympic gold medal in the 2012 London Games and then to the Scots first Wimbledon title in 2013 -- he has played with a new resolve. All during Rio, Murray stayed away from the drama, the shouting at his supporters and the questionable display of acting injured in tight moments that has sometimes sapped his mental strength in the past.Just like Lendl did when he dominated the game in the 1980s, Murray dominated in a workmanlike way. In two early matches here, he was down a break in the third set. But each time he stormed back at just the right time.Murray made history on Sunday. But he told the press that during Sundays match, history was far from his mind. He could think of nothing in this last match but survival.By the end of it, both players were struggling to stay afloat. Del Potro walked slowly between points. He often bent over for a few seconds and rested his hands on his knees -- gassed. Then the Argentines fans would begin roaring, chanting his name -- Delpo! Delpo! Delpo! -- and he would play a point full of more slashing forehands.He took advantage of a spate of Murray errors to break serve in the first game of the fourth set. But Murray wouldnt budge. With del Potro looking like he was going to take this match to a deciding set, Murray broke back, held serve and, finally, broke again. Game, set, match. Gold was soon draping around Murrays neck.After the medal ceremony, someone from the stands threw him a British flag. He carefully unfurled it, held it above his head and clutched it closely to his chest. Then he walked off, the flag curling around his wide shoulders, his workmanlike job in Rio done.Air Max Australia Running Shoes . -- Matt Kuchar and Harris English ran away with the Franklin Templeton Shootout, shooting a 14-under 58 on Sunday in the final-round scramble to break the tournament course record. Air Max Australia From China . -- The Sacramento Kings are set to become the first major professional sports franchise to accept Bitcoin virtual currency for ticket and merchandise purchases. http://www.shopairmaxaustralia.com/ . The Swede became the first golfer to win the PGA Tours FedEx Cup and European Tours Race to Dubai in the same season. "It is still taking a little time to sink in what Ive achieved this week as was the case when I won the FedEx Cup but then it just kept getting better and better as the days went on and I am sure this will be the same," he said. Clearance Air Max Australia . Hamelin, who triumphed in the 500 on Saturday, edged out Victor An of Russia by 0.021 seconds to maintain his lead in the World Cup standings. Russias Vladimir Grigorev was third. In the relay, Canada took control six laps from the finish line to beat Russia and the Netherlands. Wholesale Air Max Australia . Now, correct me if Im wrong but I saw one official distinctly pointing at the net indicating a good goal but after an inconclusive review they overturned the goal. Shouldnt the ruling on the ice (good goal) stand after an inconclusive review? Why was this overturned? James Veaudry Pembroke, ON -- Hey Kerry, Youll get a lot of these, but why was the Montreal goal against Nashville Saturday night overturned? Eller puts the puck on net and the on ice ruling from the ref behind the net is a Montreal goal.Gary Abletts six-year reign as Gold Coast captain is over, with the under-siege AFL star standing down on Tuesday.And despite being contracted until the end of 2018, the 32-year-old has admitted the 2017 season might be his last in the AFL.Ablett informed his teammates at training of the decision to relinquish the captaincy, after it was confirmed last month he had sought a trade from the club late last season to return to Geelong as he battled family issues.That request was denied, and he also missed the opening days of pre-season training on a delayed honeymoon, prompting former Suns defender Campbell Brown to tweet that the 32-year-olds teammates were dirty on him.But Ablett and the club insisted the decision had been made between he and coach Rodney Eade at the end of last season.I feel it is the right time for a change, both for the club and for me, Ablett said in a statement.When I got injured last season, we handed the role over to Tom Lynch and Steven May and both guys, with the help of their teammates, did an outstanding job.It became obvious to me then that we now have the calibre of leaders that are capable of leading the footy club into our next phase.Ablett had captained the Suns in 96 games since their foundation season, but only played 20 matches for the club in 2015 and 2016 as he battled ongoing shoulderr issues.ddddddddddddowever, he said matters off the field were more likely to end his career prematurely, and that he would discuss his future with the Suns at the end of 2017.In the back of my mind, I want to play two years, but I cant guarantee that and thats because of everything thats going on in my personal life, he told the AFL website.Trying to juggle football life and life outside football, I need to see where things are at the end of this year and Ill make a decision then.But, the two-time Brownlow Medallist reiterated his stance that he was wholly committed to the club as they attempted to make the finals for the first time in 2017.This will allow me to concentrate on my return from injury, Ablett said.The last few years have been frustrating, having not been able to get out there and do what I love doing.I will do whatever I can to help my successor and his teammates.Eade said the club would be in a position to announce a new captain within the next month, with Lynch or May favoured to take the helm.As a club, we have had some time to think through the process, he said.Gary and I agreed on a transition a couple of months ago but it was appropriate that he tell his teammates first. 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