Abstimmungen » has to be Daley Thompson, as he epitomises the

BRASILIA, Brazil -- Brazil started its quest for an Olympic gold medal in mens soccer with a disappointing 0-0 draw against South Africa, a result that prompted loud jeers by some of the home fans.Despite an attack led by Barcelona striker Neymar and talented youngsters Gabriel Jesus and Gabigol, Brazil was not able to find the net at the packed Mane Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia.Gabriel Jesus, newly signed by Manchester City, had the games best chance in the 69th minute but missed an open net with a close-range shot that struck the post.I have the obligation to score that goal, he said. Im not used to missing those chances. Im disappointed. I wont be able to sleep tonight because of that one.Neymar and Gabigol threatened a few times but also couldnt score.We had the best chances but the ball didnt go in, Brazil coach Rogerio Micale said. And we also have to give credit to South Africa, which has a very determined team and made it difficult for us to impose our game.South Africa played a man down from the 59th after defender Mothobi Mvala earned a second yellow card for a hard foul on Brazil right back Zeca.In the other Group A match in Brasilia, Iraq and Denmark also played to a scoreless draw, leaving all four teams tied.Brazil plays Iraq on Sunday, also in Brasilia, while South Africa faces Denmark.In Rio de Janeiro, Portugal defeated two-time Olympic champion Argentina 2-0 with goals by Paciencia in the 66th and Pite in the 84th in front of 45,000 fans at the Olympic Stadium, the vast majority cheering for Portugal. Earlier, Honduras defeated Algeria 3-2 in the other Group D game in Rio.In the jungle city of Manaus, Colombia and Sweden drew 2-2 in Group B. The Colombians got on the board with Teo Gutierrez in the 17th but allowed the Swedes to move ahead with goals by Mikael Ishak in the 43rd and Astrit Ajdarevic in the 62nd. Colombias equalizer came from a 75th-minute penalty kick converted by Dorlan Pabon.Nigeria found strenght to defeat Japan 5-4 in the heat of Manaus only about six hours after arriving in the city. The team had its trip to Brazil delayed by a mix-up at an airport. Midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo scored four goals for the 1996 Olympic champions. The thrilling match at the Arena Amazonia was tied 2-2 by the 13th minute, but Nigeria eventually pulled away before Japan scored twice late.In Group C, defending champion Mexico drew 2-2 with Germany despite twice having the lead in the northeastern city of Salvador. Oribe Peralta scored Mexicos first goal, and Germanys 78th-minute equalizer came from 2014 World Cup champion Matthias Ginter. In the other group game, South Korea routed Fiji 8-0. In its eighth straight Olympics, South Korea scored seven of its goals after the 60th minute. Three goals came in a two-minute span.The Olympic gold is the only major trophy Brazil hasnt won in soccer. The countrys team has won the silver medal three times, including four years ago in London, when Neymar was in a squad that lost the final to Mexico.Brazil controlled possession but wasnt able to create many significant chances until late in the second half. South Africa, playing at the Olympics for the first time since 2000, also came close several times.The Olympics is Brazils first tournament since the senior team was embarrassed at the Copa America after failing to advance past the group stage of the continental competition. Neymar skipped that tournament to be able to play at the Rio Games.Brazil also finished second at the Olympic tournament in 1984 in Los Angeles and in 1988 in Seoul, the second time with a team that included Romario and Bebeto. The five-time World Cup champions won the bronze in 1996 in Atlanta with striker Ronaldo, and in 2008 in Beijing with playmaker Ronaldinho.South Africa defeated Brazil 3-1 in the group stage of the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Brazils under-23 squad beat South Africa by the same score in an Olympic warmup earlier this year.---Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/tales-azzoni Air Force 1 Just Do It Hvid . How great will be revealed in the next couple of days at the board of governors meeting in Pebble Beach, Calif. Air Force 1 Udsalg . -- Ryan Blaney provided more evidence that Penske Racings No. http://www.danmarkairforce1.com/ . PAUL, Minn. Nike Air Force 1 Just Do It Kaufen . Only three players drafted by NHL clubs were included on the Czech selection camp roster on Wednesday. Those players were Dallas Stars 2012 first-rounder Radek Faksa, Winnipeg Jets 2013 fourth-rounder Jan Kostalek and Phoenix Coyotes 2012 seventh-rounder Marek Langhamer. Air Force 1 Herre Tilbud . The Dutchmans tenure got off to a poor start when referee Guido Winkmann awarded a penalty within two minutes for Niklas Starks clumsy challenge on Alexandru Maxim.Its make or break time for the Sky Academy Sports Scholars as they enter the final stages of their battle to make the Rio Olympics. The brutal truth is that some of the Scholars will be on that plane to Brazil in the summer. Some will not. Tony Lester, Scholarship boss since 2013, has seen it all and hes only too aware of the challenges awaiting the athletes.As a coach, hes steered runners Roger Black and Marlon Devonish to Olympic glory. For the journey to Rio, hes been wearing his Sky hat, nurturing some of Britains and Irelands top talent by overseeing an extensive tailored programme of support, with a little less shouting trackside.So what does the next six months hold for the Scholars? How calm are they? What makes an Olympic champion?Here are Tonys thoughts on a thrilling and gut-wrenching climax to the latest cycle of the Sky Academy Sports Scholarship programme...The clock is ticking. For many of these guys, its a key time in their careers. Only two of the Scholars have qualified - runner Mark English and pole vaulter Holly Bradshaw - but they still have to show fitness and if something happens like losing form or an injury then theyll be playing catch up.Its a tough time and the pressures on. They have to deliver, stay in shape and laser their focus on getting the job done. Its a two-part job now. The first is getting on the plane to Rio. The second is to compete and deliver. Usain Bolt: Has become the saviour of athletics Its sport though and theres no half measure. Its all or nothing. For these guys who are up against it in terms of qualifying, theyve had four years to prepare for this. It will be the first attempt at making an Olympics for some, for others it will be their second.The ones on the second round of trying to make it and not succeeding, its hard but lessons will be learned. Every time a mistake is made, something is learned.All the Scholars are excited and looking forward to the next six months. Some are competing, preparing for the indoor season, some are on training camps and some are just doing their thing. They know they are halfway down the road to Rio and others know its a long way to go and still have to clear a lot of obstacles.We cant afford to get involved in any emotional distractions though. Im not their coach, Sky as a business arent their coaches, so we have to stand back and watch the story unfold.I can be distant from all of this but because you know what theyre going through with all the emotions and pressures, I can become that other mentor. Tonys commitment to nurturing the Scholars has taken him to the US Ive been with Olympic teams and gone through the selection process and I can talk to them at that level. But I never get involved in the coaching aspect. I caant afford to give wrong messages.ddddddddddddI wont impose my opinions heavily because that creates a conflict between me and the coach. I stand back. I can speak to the Scholars about agents and other stuff, but ultimately its their career and not mine.I started leading the Scholarship in 2013. The scheme involving the London Scholars was really a pilot to see how Sky could get involved and support British athletes. The learning from this is we can be a lot broader.I made the call to go for Olympic sports again. For the majority of athletes, an Olympics is the pinnacle of their sport, whereas in football or rugby you have World Cups. But going forward we are starting to engage with other sports.What makes an Olympic champion is something Im often asked. You need talent. You cant become a champion without being good at what you do. You need to perfect you craft, day in, day out, with diligence and toughness. Speed skater Dan Jansen experienced an emotional Winter Games in 1988 But one other thing you need is a lot of luck. You can be the best in the world but a week out from a Games you can catch a virus or pull a muscle or land heavily. You cannot undo that damage.For anybody who doesnt know the story of speed skater Dan Jansen I suggest you look him up. The American overcame grief to win Olympic gold in the final race of his career in 1994 in Lillehammer. His story is what makes an Olympic champion. Check him out please.My other Olympic heroes are two people for very different reasons.From my era it has to be Daley Thompson, as he epitomises the true values of hard work, total self-belief and he was not afraid to show in class with his in your face attitude to all those who dared to challenge his superiority.Plus theres Usain Bolt, as being Jamaican I have a strong loyalty to my heritage. Jamaica has had a history of producing great sprinters from such a small island, this makes me extremely proud to be Jamaican. Tony coached while he was in the army before linking up with the GB team Furthermore Usain has become the saviour of a currently dysfunctional sport that sadly we all still love, and live in hope of it cleaning up its act.And so its down to the final six months for the Scholars. Is there one bit of advice Id offer them?Stick to the task and dont change your plans - youve done it all already. Why would you change what youve done over the last three years?Its worked so far, so any changes now would mean youre panicking or youve lost your self-belief. Keep that simplicity. Also See: About the Scholarship Meet the athletes Blogs Videos Galleries ' ' '