RIO DE JANEIRO -- The Americans invented beach volleyball.Brazil made it a passion.But theres another country making waves at the Copacabana venue during the Olympics, one with little tradition of beach volleyball -- or even a lot of sun-splashed beaches, for that matter.Canada.Yes, Canada.The ice hockey and curling power is one of only four countries to qualify the maximum four teams -- two mens and two womens -- for the Rio de Janeiro Games. Although Canada has won only one medal in the sport since it joined the Olympic program in 1996, this contingent is hoping it can change that.Canada is a competitive nation, said Ben Saxton, whose father was on the Canadian indoor volleyball team that ended up fourth at the 1984 Olympics -- its best finish ever. All of us want to win at every sport we play. Just because we cant play during the winter doesnt mean we arent resourceful enough to find a way.More often associated with ice and snow -- and sports played upon them -- than with the Summer Games, Canada has had its share of success in events like track and rowing and swimming. But the beach has been barren since John Child and Mark Heese took bronze in Atlanta.True, its hard to compete with countries where the athletes can train year-round. Yes, the lack of volleyball history itself makes it difficult to convince young Canadians to put down their hockey sticks and hit the beach. And Canadas population of about 35 million is smaller than Californias alone, not to mention Brazil.You take a couple of cities in Brazil and youve got more than the whole country, said Steve Anderson, Canadas head beach volleyball coach. You cant compete with the population. You cant compete with the history. People come to Brazil and the U.S. to immerse themselves in the culture because you cant get that anywhere else.But when Anderson took over the countrys beach volleyball program, he decided the problem was the mindset of Canadians who just didnt think they could compete with the sports powers.Anderson, an American who coached Australian Natalie Cook to the beach gold medal in 2000, called the Canadian players together and asked them: When was the last time you got off the plane expecting to win an event?The comment was, `Thats a bit arrogant. Thats not how Canadians think, Anderson said in an interview at the Copacabana venue on Tuesday.But I dont know any hockey player that gets off a plane just to show up, he said. How do we change that environment?Since London, Canada has seen enough success on the world professional tour to hit the country quota of two teams in each gender in Rio.Saxton and Chaim Schalk reached the podium five times on the FIVB tour; Josh Binstock, a 2012 Olympian, and Samuel Schachter have four top-three finishes since 2014. On the womens side, Heather Bansley and Sarah Pavan were No. 5 in the Olympic rankings and Jamie Broder and Kristina Valjas were 13th.Only three other countries hit the maximum: The United States and Brazil, which have combined to win 20 of the 30 total medals since the sport was added to the Olympic program in 1996, and the Netherlands.So far, the Canadians have had mixed success.Bansley and Pavan are 2-0 and atop their pool after beating Switzerland 21-18, 21-18 on Tuesday. Broder and Valjas, who lost to Germany, are 1-1 with one game remaining in group play. On the mens side, Schalk and Saxton are 1-1 and Binstock and Schachter are 0-2.Were going to find out at these Olympics: What is Canadian volleyball? Anderson said. Thats what were going to find out. http://www.brownsrookiestore.com/ .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have placed centre Cody Hodgson on injured reserve and recalled two players from their AHL affiliate in Rochester. http://www.brownsrookiestore.com/Browns-Danny-Shelton-Jersey/ . The news was first reported on Gonzalezs Twitter account and confirmed by the Rockies. Gonzalez has a six-week window before position players have their first workout at spring training in Arizona. http://www.brownsrookiestore.com/Browns-Jason-Mccourty-Jersey/ . Manuel was offered a position the day he was fired. He accepted earlier this week and the team made the announcement Friday. http://www.brownsrookiestore.com/Browns-Jamie-Meder-Jersey/ . The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling "puts an end to my dreams of being a top player," the 27-year-old Troicki said in a statement. "I worked my entire life for it, and it has been taken away from me in one afternoon by a doctor I didnt know," said Troicki, whose ranking peaked at No. http://www.brownsrookiestore.com/Browns-Howard-Wilson-Jersey/ . Argentina winger Ezequiel Lavezzi and France midfielder Blaise Matuidi scored, with star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic setting up both despite having a poor game by his high standards. Forward Eduardo gave Ajaccio the lead in the sixth minute after being set up by right winger Benjamin Andre, and the Corsican side looked comfortable in the first half, with the lively Johan Cavalli causing problems with his probing runs from midfield. RIO DE JANEIRO -- Two Australian swimmers were disciplined by their countrys Olympic committee for failing to return to the athletes village or tell team officials where they were during a night out in Copacabana.Emma McKeon and Josh Palmer wont be allowed to participate in Sundays closing ceremony and must stay in the village between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. They also can only travel to events in official Olympic transportation.The punishment was handed out by Australian Olympic Committee Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller. Swimming Australia said Thursday it supports the AOCs decision.According to Swimming Australia, McKeon got separated from team members at a nightclub Tuesday andd instead of traveling alone back to the village, she stayed with two female friends in Copacabana.dddddddddddd Her failure to advise officials of her whereabouts violated team rules.Palmer also got separated from teammates and continued to drink alone, Swimming Australia said.Australian coach Jacco Verhaeren said McKeon and Palmer conducted themselves professionally during the games and were being punished for risking their safety.McKeon won four medals in Rio -- gold, two silvers and bronze. Palmer finished 30th in the 100-meter breaststroke. 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