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SOCHI, Russia -- IOC President Thomas Bach paid tribute Tuesday to the victims of the recent suicide bombings in southern Russia that killed 34 people and heightened security concerns for the Sochi Olympics. Bach spoke at a ceremony in the athletes village to urge compliance with the "Olympic Truce," a symbolic resolution urging warring parties to cease hostilities during the games. "We remember and grieve for the innocent victims of conflict, and especially the recent victims in Volgograd," Bach said. "Our presence here today is a rebuke to those whose motives and goals stand in sharp contrast to the spirit of harmony and global solidarity at these games." An Islamic militant group from the North Caucasus region claimed responsibility for the back-to-back bombings in late December in Volgograd, about 640 kilometres (400 miles) east of Sochi, and threatened to strike the Olympics. Russia has mounted a massive security operation to guard the games, which open Friday and run through Feb. 23. Tens of thousands of military and police personnel have been deployed, along with warships, drone aircraft and anti-missile batteries. The U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution in November calling for a global truce during the Sochi Games. Similar resolutions have been passed going back to the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics. "We are not naive," Bach said. "We know our limits." The IOC leader said the Olympic Village is a symbol of peace. "Men and women from different backgrounds, different cultures, different religions and different perspectives live side-by-side in harmony," he said. Bachs use of the term "different perspectives" could be seen as a reference to sexual orientation. The buildup to Sochi has been overshadowed by an international outcry against a Russian law banning gay "propaganda" among minors. Activists and some politicians called for a boycott of the games over the issue. "We must never let politics or other outside forces spoil this spirit," Bach said. Among those attending the ceremony was Russian pole vault star Yelena Isinbayeva, who is serving as the "mayor" of the Olympic Village in the coastal cluster of venues. Isinbayeva made headlines in August at the world athletics championships when she condemned homosexuality, saying Russians have "normal" heterosexual relations. The next day, she said her comments in English may have been misunderstood and that she is against any discrimination. Isinbayeva declined further comment Tuesday on the Russian laws butSvetlana Zhurova, mayor of one of the other two athletes villages in the mountains above Sochi, said the issue had been overblown, was unfairly clouding the buildup to the games and she was fed up with fielding questions about it. Zhurova, the 2006 Olympic speedskating gold medallist , urged activists not to use the Winter Games as a platform for protests. "For the spectators it is more important who wins than whether he or she is homosexual or not," she said. "This doesnt matter. Im sure there will be no problems." Tuesdays ceremony began in embarrassing fashion for the hosts. As Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak prepared to speak, the plastic lectern collapsed onto the ground. Bach drew laughs when he said: "We can see that sport can break down walls this morning." Members of the IOCs executive board toured the Olympic Village, which will accommodate about 2,200 athletes along the Black Sea coast. Two other smaller villages are located in the mountain cluster above Sochi. Bach chatted with athletes, grabbed some lunch in the cafeteria and played table tennis in the recreation room. "The village is really magnificent," he said. "What the athletes appreciate is the proximity to the competition venues. I just spoke to a female American speedskater and Russian ice hockey player and the first thing they say is, We can walk from here to our training sessions." Bach has his own room in the village, keeping a tradition started by his predecessor, Jacques Rogge, though he also stays in a luxury hotel nearby during IOC meetings. "One of the greatest privileges of an IOC president is you can ask for a room in the Olympic Village," Bach said. "Its here where the Olympic spirit lives." Cheap NBA Jerseys Authentic .Y. -- The New York Islanders were seeking a positive finish to a frustrating season on home ice. Nike NBA Jerseys China . The top-ranked Djokovic also beat Gael Monfils and then routed Roger Federer en route to his first Abu Dhabi title. "Its always great to win a title. This is the best way to start the 2012 season," Djokovic said. https://www.nbachinajerseys.us/. "I just think what it does for everybody in life is real simple," said Babcock early on Friday afternoon. "You dont give in. You just keep on keeping on. Is it going to go your way every time? No. But you choose your attitude and how you perform and how hard you dig in." Nearly four years to the day of the 2010 gold medal match in Vancouver, his team dug in with its best effort of these Olympics, snuffing out the high-powered Americans for another opportunity at gold. Fake NBA Jerseys . The Tiger-Cats announced on Friday the linebacker has signed a new contract with the team through the 2016 season. NBA Jerseys China . -- Theres something about playing on Orlandos floor lately that seems to bring out the best in the Dallas Mavericks.IRVING, Texas - Anthony Spencer quietly worked his way back without knowing when he would return from left knee surgery that threatened his career. The Dallas defensive end finally has an answer, or so it appears. Hes expected to play Sunday night against New Orleans, almost a year to the day since the microfracture procedure. Spencer played just one game last season after dealing with the troublesome knee throughout the 2013 off-season. He had surgery last Oct. 1. The 30-year-old Spencer skipped practice Friday and was listed as questionable a day after defensive co-ordinator Rod Marinelli said he was likely to play. He went through limited workouts earlier in the week. The eighth-year player isnt likely to see many snaps against the Saints, but the Dallas front four can use the help. The defensive line has just half a sack, and the team only three, through three games. The Cowboys (2-1) are facing Drew Brees, who was sacked just once total in games against Dallas the past two years. He threw for 838 yards with seven touchdowns and no interceptions, in part because he was rarely bothered in the pocket. Its coming at a point in time where we need his strength with his pass rush, cornerback Brandon Carr said. His ability to get off the ball will be big for us if we can find a way to get him into the game and get him after the quarterback. Spencer, who wasnt available in the locker room Friday,, had a career-high 11 sacks his last full season in 2012, which was the second of consecutive years under the franchise tag.dddddddddddd He earned $10.6 million a year ago, but is getting just $250,000 guaranteed in his current $1.25 million deal signed late in free agency because of uncertainty over his recovery. It has been a long year and a lot of hard work on his part, said his agent, Jordan Woy. It was major surgery and you never know how a player will recover. But he has put in the sacrificial hours to get back to being football-ready. Spencer never put a timetable on a return, always telling reporters he would simply wait until his body felt the time was right. The Cowboys decided not to put him on the physically unable to perform list to start the season, which would have meant missing six games. Hes a pretty reserved person, Carr said. His work ethic speaks for itself. Whatever peaks and valleys he went through, he fought it out to this point now where we can get him for a big game Sunday night. When he started his recovery, Spencer couldnt be sure this day would come. NOTES: LB Rolando McClain (groin) practiced for the first time in two weeks and was listed as questionable along with DT Henry Melton (groin), who practiced for the first time this week. ... DT Terrell McClain (concussion) missed practice all week but was listed as questionable rather than doubtful. ' ' '