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BERN, Switzerland -- Mark Cavendish has withdrawn from the Tour de France after winning four stages.Team Dimension Data made the announcement Tuesday on the races second and final rest day, with five stages remaining.Cavendish is preparing to race on the track at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, where he will be competing in the omnium event.The British sprinter says that after an extremely enjoyable and successful couple of weeks ... it is with great sadness that I took the decision today to leave the race.Cavendish would have been a contender to win the final stage Sunday on the Champs-Elysees.He wore the race leaders yellow jersey for the first time after winning the opening stage at Utah Beach, Normandy. Jerome Brown Jersey . But what about the officials? Every sport has officials and they also have stories about hard work and sacrifice but their accomplishments are seldom recognized by anyone outside their inner circle. Clayton Thorson Youth Jersey . The giant slalom world champion slipped during her first run in the morning, landing on her back and then twisting forward before getting her leg caught in the protective material on the side of the slope. http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Eagles-Carson-Wentz-Jersey/ . Deulofeu injured a muscle in his right leg in Evertons 4-1 win over Fulham in the English Premier League on Saturday. Barcelona says that its team doctors will "co-ordinate" with Evertons medical staff as Deulofeu recovers. Fletcher Cox Eagles Jersey . Louis Blues teammates who would also be participating in the Olympics, Alex Pietrangelo felt right at home, no different in some ways to the travel experience of any old road trip – save for the length of the journey, that is. Custom Philadelphia Eagles Jerseys . Traditional contenders Brazil, Greece and Turkey drew the other three spots to complete the 24-team field for this summers tournament in Spain, basketball governing body FIBA announced Saturday at its meeting in Barcelona. The matchup Monday night between the Carolina Panthers and host Washington Redskins has playoff implications with three games to go in the regular season.Yet theres another topic that naturally has been making the rounds leading up to the game in Landover, Md. (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).Thats the role of Redskins cornerback Josh Norman, who played with the Panthers and was the focal point of the secondary until he wasnt retained in the spring.Now Norman goes against his former team. At least the Panthers dont expect any surprises from the often-flamboyant and talkative defensive back.I think the guys know what to expect from Josh, Carolina coach Ron Rivera said. Thats the beauty of it.The Redskins dont want Norman or anything else to be a distraction because its a critical time for them as they try to stay in line for an NFC wild card spot. Close games have become part of the process for Washington (7-5-1).With the parity in the NFL, we keep grinding it out and its what we expect, Redskins coach Jay Gruden said.The Panthers have been complimentary of Norman, noting that he became a high-level player with them the past couple of years.He listened and he learned and he grew, Rivera said of Norman said. Those long arms of his come into play. ... The way he practiced improved the level of play around him. He brought a swagger to us. Guys feed off of that and thats what happened.Carolina quarterback Cam Newton said he cant become consumed with Normans actions.Its not a game about him vs. us, Newton said. We just need to win this game.Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins consulted with Norman months ago about some of what to expect from Carolinas defense.It really goes back to the spring, Cousins said. We talked some about the coverages and stuff, but at the end of the day its about executing.Cousins was in the same pre-draft training group a few years ago with Norman, so they had a connection prior to become teammates.What Ive always loved about him is that hes a worker, Cousins said. Winning matters to him. He has been a part of a winning team. He knows what that looks like.Cousins looks like a different quarterback at times as he continues to develop and might be directing a playoff-bound team.I see him building his confidence, Rivera said. I see him making good decisions. I see why they like who he is. To me, it all starts with Kirk Cousins. He has really come along. ... Theyve got play makers and thats what you have to be aware of.ddddddddddddCarolina ripped the Redskins in a 44-16 home victory last season. That included the defense forcing five turnovers.Hopefully, we dont turn it over five times, Cousins said. Youd like to think were a more mature team ... and you protect the ball better.Cousins said there are lots of similarities with the Panthers defense to what the Redskins had to face a year ago.I remember Carolina being one of the better defenses we played all year, Cousins said. A lot of the same players are back. I do think their defense is still very good and smart players.With Norman now on the opposing team, the Redskins have been keen on praising the Panthers secondary this week. That includes rookie cornerbacks James Bradberry and Daryl Worley.Its hard to come into this league and play right away, Cousins said of Carolinas rookie cornerbacks.Cousins has been praised for his poise and precision at times as the Redskins have hung tough in the NFC East. The offense has become more difficult to defend.No matter whos on the field, we spread it around, Cousins said. Youre building that chemistry on knowing where guys should be.Its unclear if Cousins will have to contend with Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, who has missed three games because of a concussion. Kuechly was cleared from the NFLs concussion protocol on Saturday but Rivera did not commit to playing him.The Redskins were glad to have extra time because of the Monday night game. That might give linebackers Sua Cravens (elbow) and Will Compton (knee sprain) time to recover from ailments, while special teams player Mack Brown entered the concussion protocol based on a hit last week against Philadelphia.The Panthers (5-8) have to win their final three games and receive quite a bit of help to land in the playoffs. Its a complicated path to the postseason even for a team that has won four of its last seven games.There is no room for error and we have to rely on certain other things happening, Rivera said. At the end of the day, our concern is our next game. We play the Redskins on Monday night and I believe our guys are going to prep and get ready. ... Our intention is to win them all.Washington holds a 7-5 edge in the all-time series with the Panthers, whove won the past four meetings. ' ' '