Tyson Gay elected not to compete in the opening day of USA Bobsleds national push championships in Canada, getting a little more time to transition from being an Olympic sprinter to someone who runs on ice.Another sprinter stole the show instead.Ryan Bailey, in only his second week in the sport and first time competing on ice, won the mens brakeman competition Wednesday -- enhancing his chances of making the national team. Bailey won the preliminary championship last month, though that was on dry land and left him with no expectations coming into his first time racing on ice.To get a chance to compete in the Winter Olympics would be amazing, Bailey said. Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would be possible, so getting this chance is mind-blowing.Bailey was part of the 2012 Olympic team at the London Games, a teammate of Gays there. Gay was recruited to bobsled this summer after the Rio Games, in part by Willie Gault -- the former NFL wide receiver who also was a bobsledder.Gay got to Calgary, which has an indoor facility thats hosting these championships, earlier this week. USA Bobsled said it was decided that it was in Gays best interest to focus on learning Wednesday and not immediately jump into competition.A number of other Olympic veterans, of the Winter Games variety, also got titles on Wednesday.Two-time Olympic medalist Elana Meyers Taylor won the womens pilot title, the eighth start title of her career and the fifth since she left the brakemans seat and became a driver.Its great getting everyone back together on ice, Meyers Taylor said. We train all summer for this. Its what we live for. Its so much fun to be back out there, to see everyone making improvements.Olympic gold medalist Justin Olsen set a record from the drivers push bar to win the mens pilot title, and Olympic bronze medalist Aja Evans returned from a two-year hiatus to win her third womans push athlete national championship.The time off was good for me, Evans said. Theres a lot that goes into the sport and competing on a high level, so the time off gave me a lot of mental clarity and let my body heal up.Olsen made the switch from pushing sleds to driving them after the 2014 Sochi Games.I feel rejuvenated mentally with my new journey as a driver, Olsen said.Competing in the push championships is ordinarily a requirement to be eligible for national team consideration. But that rule doesnt apply to rookie hopefuls, so Gay -- who could compete in other events this weekend -- still is in the mix to compete in team trials next month. It also doesnt apply to injured athletes like longtime USA-1 driver Steven Holcomb, the three-time Olympic medalist who was excused Wednesday because of an injury.Im just being cautious, Holcomb said. I had a slight training mishap a couple weeks ago, nothing major. Marquise Goodwin Super Bowl Jersey . The Brazilian goalkeeper signed a loan deal with the Major League Soccer club on Friday as he looks to get playing time ahead of this summers World Cup in his home country. Solomon Thomas Super Bowl Jersey . The 27-year-old Scrivens will be joining his third NHL club since signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a free agent in 2010. The move also reunites with him with head coach Dallas Eakins from their time together with the American Hockey Leagues Toronto Marlies. http://www.thesf49ersshoponline.com/Youth-Deforest-Buckner-49ers-Jersey/ . Just as Montreal was settling into the first full working week of a new year, the Impact announced the appointment of their new head coach. Tevin Coleman Super Bowl Jersey . -- Claudio Bieler hadnt scored since early September, and not from the run of play since mid-July. Joe Staley Super Bowl Jersey . The next step is a better finish. Bae played bogey-free Friday on another gorgeous day at Riviera for a 5-under 66, giving him a one-shot lead over Aaron Baddeley and Robert Garrigus going into the weekend. ATLANTA -- Atlanta United hired former Argentina national coach Gerardo Martino on Tuesday as coach for its 2017 inaugural MLS season.Martino is a former professional player who brings 20 years of coaching experience on the club and international levels to the new Atlanta team. He also has led the Paraguay national team and the Spanish Leagues FC Barcelona.This is an exciting time for MLS and Im looking forward to the challenge of leading a team in an evolving league, Martino said in a statement released by the team. Atlanta United is a first-rate organization, and Im very eager to get working and build one of the top clubs in MLS.Atlanta United has scheduled a news conference for Wednesday.Team President Darren Eales said Martino is a good fit for the expansion franchise.His deep experience and success at both the club and international levels speak for itself, and his vision and approach aligns very well with our club philosophy, Eales said. Were confident in his ability to help build a winningg culture both on and off the pitch.ddddddddddddMartino most recently managed the Argentina national team from 2014 to 2016. He led Argentina to the No. 1 FIFA world ranking in July 2015 and to appearances in the Copa America final in 2015 and 2016.Atlanta United will play its debut season in the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which also will be home to the NFLs Atlanta Falcons. Both teams are owned by Arthur Blank, who described the hiring of Martino as an incredibly exciting and historic day for our club.Blank also said the teams ability to hire Martino demonstrates the continuing growth of Major League Soccer.Atlanta United technical director Carlos Bocanegra said fans can expect Martinos teams to play a fast and fluid style.Hes also demonstrated a commitment to youth soccer, consistently proving his ability to enhance the progression of younger players, Bocanegra said. ' ' '
