SOCHI, Russia -- Ukrainian Olympic chief Sergei Bubka said he has "great sympathy" with the desire of his athletes to wear black armbands to remember those killed in the political unrest in Kyiv. But he says it was agreed "after consultation with the IOC" that wearing armbands would not be in line with the Olympic Charter. "Both parties agreed that another way of allowing Ukraine athletes to mark their respects should be found," he said, adding that athletes on the team had observed a minute of silence in the Olympic Village and issued statements or gave interviews about the crisis. Bubka, a pole vault great, issued a statement Thursday following "erroneous reports" that he had prevented athletes from wearing armbands. The International Olympic Committee denied that it had received a request from the Ukrainians to wear armbands during the games. Ukrainian skier Bogdana Matsotska withdrew from the Sochi Olympics in response to the deaths of anti-government protesters in Ukraine. Bubka has urged Ukrainian athletes to remain in Sochi as a sign of unity. But he has also said he respects the rights of athletes to make their own decision. Clearance Soccer Jerseys .J. -- New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is going to start the off-season training program with a surgically repaired left ankle. Soccer Jerseys Outlet .Shipulin pulled away from Martin Fourcade of France, Simon Eder of Austria and Fredrik Lindstrom of Sweden to finish in 35 minutes 16.8 seconds. Fourcade was 1.2 seconds back in second place to reclaim the overall World Cup lead, with Eder another 0. https://www.soccerjerseyschina.us/ . Jacobs scored two in the first end, but Jahr briefly took charge with two in the second end and two more in the third. Jacobs, from Sault. Marie, Ont., gave Canada some breathing room, following his big fourth end by adding two more points in the fifth to go up 7-4. Replica Soccer Jerseys . Neither side would publicly confirm or deny any discussions were taking place, until the near unexpected happened. On Saturday night sources confirmed to TSN, the league and players agreed to terms on a new, tentative CBA, pending ratification by the unions players. A league source confirmed the CFLs board of governors must also ratify any potential agreement. Cheap Soccer Jerseys . -- Zach Johnson is like most players at the World Challenge, not sure whether hes still playing in 2013 or if hes in the middle of the new wraparound season that officially started in October.ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - Though not the gambling type, Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone cant avoid being reminded how often his team is the underdog.Informed the Bills are not favoured in their home game against the Kansas City Chiefs in a meeting of two 5-3 teams, Marrone smiled and said: And (the line) is moving. Its going up, right?Indeed it was. After opening the week 1-point favourites, the Chiefs were at 2 by Thursday.Marrones not surprised after the Bills werent favoured entering their 43-23 win against the then-1-6 New York Jets two weeks ago.Encouraging as the Bills record has been, they have a long history of second-half collapses during a 14-season playoff drought. Thats a history they need to overcome before anyone begins taking them seriously.Its going to be that way until we prove that we can go out and win on a consistent basis. And we havent, Marrone said. So I dont get upset with anyone. Do you need it as motivation? I think these guys go out there every day and understand what we have to prove.The game Sunday becomes the latest prove-it or lose-it test for a Bills team that comes out of its bye week. The Bills have won two straight, and displayed resilience in winning three games on their final offensive possession.Theyll face the Chiefs, who are on a roll of their own. Kansas City has won three straight and five of six to climb into a jumbled AFC playoff picture featuring 11 teams with winning records.I dont get caught up in all that, Chiefs coach Andy Reid, referring to the standings. I dont think it does any good. It doesnt help you win the game or that. Were both sitting 5-3, and thats what we are.The similarities dont end there. Both teams have aggressive defences the league leaders in sacks, and are stingy against the run. Their offences are run by veteran quarterbacks and rely on balanced approaches.Heres a number of things to look out for as the non-division rivals meet for a seventh straight season:BY THE SACKFUL: The Bills are second in the NFL with 28 sacks, and the Chiefs one behind with 27. That was enough for Marrone and Reid to exchange compliments.You could argue that this is one of the better defences, if not the best, in the National Football League at this point this season, Reeid said of the Bills.ddddddddddddMarrone made note of Chiefs linebackers Justin Houston, who leads the NFL with 12 sacks, and Tamba Hali, who has four, before turning his attention to defensive tackle Dontari Poe.I think the inside guy is having an unbelievable year, Marrone said of Poe, who has three sacks. Hes a guy thats flying under the radar in this league.RUN STOPPERS: The Chiefs have yet to allow a touchdown rushing this season, and face an injury-depleted Bills backfield missing C.J. Spiller (broken collarbone) and Fred Jackson (groin). Backups Anthony Dixon and Bryce Brown were limited to a combined 59 yards on 29 carries against the Jets.Chiefs starter Jamaal Charles, meanwhile, faces a defence that didnt allow a rushing TD until giving up three against the Jets. Buffalo has held six opponents under 90 yards rushing this season.AIR BALLS: Chiefs starter Alex Smith has thrown 11 touchdown passes, but none yet to a wide receiver. Not to worry, said receiver Dwayne Bowe, who has 31 catches for 398 yards.As long as Im contributing, then Im feeling good, Bowe said. Its going to come my way.AIRING IT OUT: Kyle Orton has provided a spark to the Bills passing attack in four games since replacing EJ Manuel as starter. With a 3-1 record, the 10-year journeyman is averaging 282 yards passing per outing, and has nine touchdowns versus three interceptions. In that time, the Bills passing numbers have jumped from being ranked 31st to 20th.Rookie receiver Sammy Watkins has been the big beneficiary. In four games with Manuel, Watkins had 17 catches for 197 yards and two TDs. In four with Orton, he has 21 catches for 393 yards and three TDs.SECOND-HALF COLLAPSES: This marks the fourth time since the Bills playoff drought began theyve had a winning record through eight games. None of those translated into winning seasons, including 2011, when Buffalo turned a 5-3 start into a 6-10 finish. Since 2005, the Bills have a combined 29-43 record in the first half of a season, and 25-47 in the second.Yeah, were in a good position record-wise, but we havent done anything yet, Bills centre Eric Wood said. You dont get any prizes for starting 5-3.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '