The Australian mens tennis team for the Rio Olympics has been robbed of yet more star power, with Lleyton Hewitt opting out as coach.?Tennis Australia has applied to the Australian Olympic Committee to replace Hewitt with Mark Draper, with the former world No.1 reportedly citing personal reasons for withdrawing.But in better news, rising Australian star Jordan Thompson has won a late call-up to contest the mens singles in Rio alongside countrymen Thanasi Kokkinakis and John Millman.Thompson advanced to the second round of the French Open in May before losing 12-10 in the fifth set to Croatian stalwart Ivo Karlovic, helping lift the Australians world ranking to a career-high of 88.With Wimbledon runner-up Milos Raonic joining the list of Rio withdrawals on Friday - in part due to fears over the Zika virus - a spot opened up for the 22-year-old Thompson.In addition to the captaincy duties, Hewitt had previously expressed interest in also seeking a wildcard doubles entry at the Games. His exit is another big blow to the team after the nations top two male players, Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic, withdrew from contention.The controversial duo both made themselves unavailable for selection after engaging in spats with Australian team chef de mission Kitty Chiller.Hewitt is a three-time Olympian, having donned the green and gold at the 2000, 2008 and 2012 Games.His most successful campaign came at the 2012 London Games, when he went down in three sets to Novak Djokovic in the third round of the singles and also advanced to the quarter-finals of the mixed doubles with Samantha Stosur.Australias womens team should be much stronger than the mens outfit in Rio, with Stosur and Daria Gavrilova both entered in the singles and doubles. David Krejci Jersey .com) - Following a late-game loss to the reigning NBA champs, the Toronto Raptors will look to sustain their recent high-level play as they travel to Indiana to take on the Pacers. Jake DeBrusk Jersey .com) - The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks both take aim at their first wins of the season on Saturday, as the Canucks open their home slate at Rogers Arena. http://www.cheapbruinsjerseys.com/?tag=adidas-kevan-miller-jersey . All of the scoring came in the final 20:04. Lucic scored on a power play at 15:46 of the third period, when he tipped a shot over Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen for a 3-1 lead. Torey Krug Jersey . -- The Missouri Tigers might not have a roster full of superstars. David Backes Jersey . The International Olympic Committee released the official list of bid cities on Friday after the deadline for applications had passed. The candidates -- all previously announced in their own countries -- are: Almaty, Kazakhstan; Beijing; Krakow, Poland; Lviv, Ukraine; Oslo, Norway; and Stockholm.MONTREAL -- Soccers world body struck a blow against Quebecs turban ban Friday, saying such headwear is perfectly acceptable on the pitch for now. The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) said in a statement it is temporarily authorizing the wearing of male head covers at all levels of Canadian soccer. It is effectively applying a 2012 ruling that allowed specially designed hijabs for women. The statement outlines certain rules for allowing the male headwear on the pitch. "(FIFA) authorizes the CSA to permit all players to wear head covers ... in all areas and on all levels of the Canadian football community," FIFA said. FIFAs position came four days after the Canadian Soccer Association suspended Quebecs soccer federation because the provincial body banned Sikh headwear. The move risked turning Quebec into a soccer pariah, with players in the province isolated from national and interprovincial competition. The Quebec organization had cited safety issues for its decision and the fact the garments were not endorsed by FIFA. FIFA responded that the head coverings are allowed -- on a trial basis and just for the time being. The issue will be discussed in October by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which determines the rules of the game, and a final decision is expected in March 2014. The Quebec Soccer Federation said Friday it welcomed the news "with enthusiasm and relief." It said it had been waiting for clear instructions from FIFA. However, the Quebec body has not said exactly what it will do next. It is to hold a news conference Saturday morning and issue a ruling with respect to the "lifting of the ban." The impact of the spat has already been felt. This weekend, at least 20 out-of-province teams are skipping a tournament in Montreal. Some players in Quebec leagues have also decided to wear turbans in protest of the ban. That ban had the support of the Parti Quebecois government and some sovereigntists have even used the case as an argument for Quebec independence. However, many federal politicians opposed the ban and applauded the CSA suspension -- with the Conservatives and Liberals being the most forceful. NDP Leader Tom Mulcair had also written to FIFA, seeking clarification and expressing his hope children would be allowed to play. In Ottawa, Sports Minister Bal Gosal said he was optimistic FIFAs statement could help end the stalemate. "I am optimistic this development will help the CSA and the Quebec Soccer Federation pursue their discussions and resolve the current situation very soon, so all Canadians, especially the children, can get back on the field continue to play the game," Gosal said in a statement. There are certain guidelines regarding the headgear. FIFA outlined the details in a letter to the Canadian Soccer Association, dated Thursday. According to FIFA, the headcover must be the same colour as the jersey; must keep with the professional appearance of the players equipment; and must not be attached to a jersey or pose any danger to the player wearing it. The World Sikh Organization welcomed FIFAs declaration. "Its been our position from the outset that the accommodation of the turban shouldnt hinge on FIFA rules but instead on the Canadian tradition of diversity and acceptance and also on Canadian rules and law," said spokesman Balpreet Singh. "This announcement is certainly good news. Its absolutely clear now that any restricction on the wearing of the turban is illegitimate and were hopeful the Quebec Soccer Federation will now immediately lift its ban.dddddddddddd "The children should really be allowed to play as soon as possible." A pro-turban community event planned for Montreal on Saturday will go ahead as scheduled, albeit under a different tone given Fridays announcement. Mukhbir Singh, vice-president for Quebec and the Atlantic region for the World Sikh Organization, says hes thankful for FIFAs stance. He said the public support has been uplifting and refreshing. Singh, 25, a Montreal soccer player who has also been forced off the pitch, said he hopes the Quebec federation moves quickly to change its position. "Whoever is affected by these recent developments, I hope they are all back on the field and no one misses another soccer game," Singh said. The community event in the citys west end will go on as scheduled. "Our goal was to rally together in a positive manner, to open a dialogue with the community," Singh said. "We didnt want it to be a protest or a statement, we want it to be a positive event where we could explain that Sikhs are part of Quebec, we speak French and English and weve been here for a very long time. "The fact is were just like everyone else." Other soccer associations from outside Quebec welcomed the FIFA directive. Quebec was the only province to not abide by a Canadian Soccer Association to permit turbans on the pitch. "We should not be barring any person from participating in sport, we have to find a way to be more inclusive ... we have to find a way of bringing more people into the sport," said Lucille Abate, president of York region soccer association, a Toronto-area organization with a total of 25 teams and roughly 55,000 members. Abate said her association supported the suspension of the Quebec branch. "Discrimination of any sort wont be tolerated, it shouldnt be tolerated in sports," she said. Political reaction from Quebecs three major parties was mixed, with the PQ saying FIFAs intervention demonstrated that the Quebec Soccer Federation was in the right to ban turbans while awaiting a clear response. Premier Pauline Marois said the final decision remains the Quebec bodys prerogative, but she said the coverage of the issue that painted Quebecers as racist and intolerant was "disgraceful." "I believe that Quebec society is welcoming, that wants to integrate all of those that want to participate in its values and participate in this reality that we represent collectively which accepts differences but also shares common values," she said. The Coaltion for Quebecs Future says that regardless of the FIFA decision, the final call should be the Quebec federations. "What I said since the beginning, since Day 1 is the same: the Quebec federation should decide, and well approve what they will decide, thats it," said Leader Francois Legault. Liberal Leader Philippe Couillard said that it was important to properly classify the debate. "This wasnt a debate on religious neutrality of the state or on reasonable accommodation, it was a debate on sport," Couillard said. "Our position on that was let the kids play together." Couillard, who has a background in medicine, said if player safety is truly at question, then it needs to be proven and examined over an extended period. - with files from Peter Rakobowchuk Black China NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys From China NFL Jerseys China Wholesale NFL Autographed Jerseys Wholesale Throwback Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Online ' ' '