OLYMPICSRIO DE JANEIRO -- With the Rio Olympics set to open, worried IOC members grilled top organizing officials about traffic jams, water pollution, security, and the absence of signage that gives the games its own distinct look.International Olympic President Thomas Bach also turned up the pressure by talking straight to organizing committee president Carlos Nuzman and CEO Sidney Levy, who tried to soothe almost 100 IOC members.Prince Albert of Monaco asked about Rios severe water pollution, which soils Olympic venues for sailing, rowing, canoeing, triathlon and open-water swimming. Rio treats about half of its raw sewage, dumping the rest into the waters surrounding the area of 12 million people.RIO DE JANEIRO -- Michael Phelps has a lot of memorable moments at the Olympics.This one ranks right up there.Adding another honor to his remarkable career, Phelps was chosen to carry the U.S. flag in Friday nights opening ceremony at Maracana Stadium.The pick seemed obvious -- Phelps, after all, is the most decorated athlete in Olympic history and will be competing in his fifth Summer Games -- but he was clearly overwhelmed Wednesday after being selected in a vote of American athletes representing each sport.RIO DE JANEIRO -- The first Olympics in Brazil are underway -- aptly with soccer games in the sports spiritual home and a win for the hosts.In Rio de Janeiros Olympic Stadium, the Brazilian womens team eased to a 3-0 victory at the start of its quest for a first Olympic gold.Its an early sporting high for Brazil, where reservations about the cost of bringing the Olympics to South America for the first time have produced violent reactions.As the Olympic torch relay reached Rio, there were fresh signs that strife could disrupt the games. Police used tear gas to break up protests against salary delays for public workers. Other protesters are demanding improvements in education and healthcare, with some angered by the $12 billion -- a mix of public and private money -- being spent on building venues and infrastructure for the Olympics.NFLSANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers signed linebacker NaVorro Bowman to a four-year contract extension through the 2022 season.The 28-year-old Bowman missed the 2014 season after a devastating left knee injury during the NFC championship game, then returned last year and led the NFL with 154 total tackles. He also had 2 1/2 sacks and two passes defensed, earned first-team All-Pro honors and was a Pro Bowl selection.GLENDALE, Ariz. -- On what he called a proud day, Tyrann Mathieu added a rich chapter to his remarkable comeback story by signing a five-year, $62.5 million contract extension.The deal makes him one of the highest-paid defensive backs in the game.Although an initial report put Mathieus guaranteed money at $40 million, a person close to the situation clarified that the player was guaranteed $21.25 million at signing, including a $15.5 million signing bonus. The rest of the money is guaranteed if hes on the team in later years of the deal.BASEBALLNEW YORK -- Mets slugger Yoenis Cespedes is going on the 15-day disabled list because of his strained right quadriceps.Cespedes went 1 for 5 as the designated hitter in the Mets 9-5 Subway Series loss to the New York Yankees on Wednesday night. He started for the first time since Saturday, and Mets manager Terry Collins had hoped Cespedes leg had healed sufficiently to allow the All-Star outfielder to be the DH during five consecutive games this week in AL ballparks.The Mets said after the game that Cespedes will be put on the disabled list Thursday and rookie outfielder Brandon Nimmo will be recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas.DENVER -- Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, sidelined since late June with a herniated disk in his back, was moved to the 60-day disabled list.That means the 28-year-old wont be able to return until Aug. 27, at the earliest.Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said the three-time Cy Young winner hasnt participated in any baseball activity since he suffered a setback in a simulated game July 16.The move corresponded with right-hander Louis Coleman (shoulder fatigue) and left-hander Adam Liberatore (elbow inflammation) being put on the 15-day DL. The Dodgers have placed 25 different players on the disabled list year, a National League record.GOLFBEAVERTON, Ore. -- Nike is getting out of the golf equipment business, a surprising announcement that is sure to send Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and other players searching for new clubs and golf balls next season.Nike said it would stop making clubs, golf balls and golf bags, instead devoting its resources to shoes and apparel, longs its strength in the golf marketplace.Woods has been with Nike since he turned pro in 1996 with that Hello, World advertisement, and he remains the most famous figure among Nike golfers. The Beaverton, Oregon-based company also signed Rory McIlroy in a splashy announcement in Abu Dhabi to start the 2013 season.TENNISATLANTA -- John Isner opened his bid for a fourth straight BB&T Atlanta Open title with a 6-4, 6-0 win over Frances Adrian Mannarino.The 6-foot-10 former University of Georgia star has reached the finals in Atlanta five of the previous six years and is 21-3 in the event. He has 10 ATP Tour titles.In the quarterfinals, Isner will face face eighth-seeded Taylor Fritz in an all-American match. Fritz topped American Bjorn Fratangelo 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the late match.Seventh-seeded Donald Young and fellow American Reilly Opelka set up a quarterfinal matchup in the afternoon session. Young beat countryman Tim Smyczek 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-3, and 18-year-old Opelka upset third-seeded Kevin Anderson of South Africa,6-7 (5), 6-3, 7-5. The 6-foot-11 Opelka had 20 aces. Cheap Los Angeles Clippers Jerseys . Just not the game. Kyle Palmieri scored two straight goals in the third period to rally the Anaheim Ducks past the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night. Cheap NBA Jerseys . The formidable trio of Canadian receivers -- individually known as Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg and Andy Fantuz -- will share the field at Mosaic Stadium one more time on Sunday. http://www.cheapclippersjerseys.com/ .Y. -- Bills receiver Stevie Johnson has a bone to pick with the NFL schedule maker. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Jersey . The Celtics closed out their first preseason under Stevens on Wednesday night with a 101-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, who rested a lot of their lineup including former Celtics Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Cheap Swingman Clippers Jerseys . -- The goal posts lying flat on the field, Arizonas fans lingered on the field, congregating around the locker room entrance nearly 30 minutes after rushing out of the stands. COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina womens soccer (5-0-1) remained unbeaten on the season and pushed its winning streak to five games after topping Charlotte 3-0 on Monday night at Stone Stadium. Junior forward Savannah McCaskill continued her impressive form, tallying a goal and an assist, while sophomore forward Simone Wark registered her second score of the year. With Mondays win, the Gamecocks improved to 5-6-0 all-time against the 49ers, who sit at 3-3-0 for the season.Carolinas defensive effort set the tone against Charlotte, holding the 49ers to four shots on the night. The Gamecocks allowed just one attempt on frame and finished the match with a commanding 17-4 shot advantage.McCaskill put South Carolina on the board in the 11th minute after receiving a great long ball from senior center back Kaleigh Kurtz near the left side of the box. The Chapin, S.C., native used her speed to maneuver around defenders and get herself one-on-one with Charlotte goalkeeper Anna Shelden. Once in the box, McCaskill slotted the ball past Shelden and into the heart of the net to tally her third goal in the last three days. She leads the Gamecocks with 15 points on six goals and three assists this season.An own goal by the 49ers pushed the Gamecock lead to two in the 26th minute. Freshman forward Elexa Bahr set up the goal, charging into the right side of the box before firing a shot that gave Shelden some trouble. Her ball in eventually deflected into the net off a Charlotte defender trying to clear it away.The Gamecocks put the match out of reach in the 74th minute after a pretty pass from McCaskill in the attacking third. Her ball into the box split a pair of defenders and found Wark, who needed just one touch before registering the late goal. Wark led all players with three shots on goal on Monday.Carolina nearly tacked on another one right before half after Anna Conklin was taken down in the box. The Gamecocks were awarded a penalty kick, and Conklins ensuing attempt was saved. The juniior left back created another scoring opportunity in the 51st minute after feeding a great ball to senior forward Sophie Groff deep inside the box.ddddddddddddGroff recorded two close-range shots that were turned away by Shelden, who finished the contest with seven saves.Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Hunter Peifer made her second start of the year and played all 90 minutes in net. She recorded one save, collecting a Charlotte header in the 49th minute, and improved to 2-0-0 on the season with the win. The Gamecocks, who have outscored opponents 8-1 at home this year, attempted five corner kicks on the night.GAMECHANGERForward Savannah McCaskills play in the attacking third resulted in a goal for sophomore Simone Wark and pushed Carolinas lead to 3-0 late in the match. McCaskills three assists in 2016 are tied with junior left back Anna Conklin for the team lead.KEY STATSouth Carolina tested Charlotte goalkeeper Anna Shelden all night, putting 10 shots on frame. The Gamecocks attempted 13 more shots than the 49ers on Monday.NOTABLESouth Carolina opens the season unbeaten through its first six matches for the first time since 2013. The Gamecocks went 7-0-1 over their first eight games that year and ended the season with 17 victories. Charlottes one shot on goal on Monday matched a season low for a Gamecock opponent. South Carolina held NC State to one attempt on frame in its home opener on Aug. 25. Junior Savannah McCaskills score in the 11th minute gave the forward her third game-winning goal this season. She totaled two game-winners combined in her first two seasons. Following Mondays performance, McCaskill moved into a tie for fourth on South Carolinas all-time scoring list with 59 points. The Gamecocks have yet to allow a goal in the first half this year. South Carolina has outscored its opponents 8-0 in the first 45 minutes of matches in 2016. ' ' '