Talk » history before Fangio arrived.The

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.Clearance Soccer Jerseys . -- Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings was selected Monday to his second straight Pro Bowl, while guard Kyle Long made it after a solid rookie season. Soccer Jerseys Outlet .Y. - General manager Billy King says the Brooklyn Nets are looking to add a big man and confirmed the team worked out centre Jason Collins, who would become the first openly gay active NBA player if signed. https://www.soccerjerseyschina.us/ . It was hard for Luck to pull off another comeback, or even get into the end zone, while standing on the sideline. Rivers threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to rookie Keenan Allen and Nick Novak kicked four field goals to give the Chargers a 19-9 victory against the Colts on Monday night. Stitched Soccer Jerseys .C. -- Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Bobcats got off to a fast start, and the Sacramento Kings were never quite able to catch up. Cheap Soccer Jerseys Authentic . Arsenal failed to take full advantage of its main rivals stumbles on Saturday as substitute Gerard Deulofeu levelled with a hard shot from a tight angle in the 84th minute to give Everton a deserved point. Ahead of a crucial fortnight that will see them play against Napoli in the Champions League, Manchester City and Chelsea, Arsenal leads by five points ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea.LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Vic Fangio says he intends to return for a third year as Chicagos defensive coordinator.Fangio denied a report saying he might be out after the season because of philosophical differences with Bears coach John Fox. Fangio said there is no friction between them and he wants to return next season. Asked if he expects to remain Chicagos defensive coordinator beyond this year, he said, I do.Fangio said he wasnt aware of the report until Fox informed him.He told me about it because he was all nervous about it, so I said, `Dont worry about it, Fangio said.Big changes could be looming with the Bears last in the NFC North at 3-9 heading into Sundays game at division leader Detroit.Quarterback Jay Cutler might have played his final game in Chicago, with a season-ending shoulder injury and little guaranteed money remaining on the seven-year contract extension he signed in January 2014. Offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains could be on shaky ground with the Bears 30th in points scored. But Fox -- who like Fangio is in his second year -- had high praise for his assistants.I want our whole staff back, he said. Now whether that proves to be a reality or not, things happen. Guys get jobs, get head jobs, get chances to advance their careers. Like any of the projection stuff, I just stay away from.The report about Fangio was a surprise because the defense has been one of the bright spots in a lost season.I think our staff is tremendous. ... I couldnt be more proud of our staff, Fox said. Ill just leave it at I am veryy, very pleased with our staff.ddddddddddddangio came to Chicago with a reputation as one of the leagues top defensive coordinators following a successful four-year run in San Francisco. Chicago, which has prided itself over the years on stifling opponents with units led by Butkus and Singletary and Urlacher, had a defense that ranked among the worst in franchise history before Fangio arrived.The defense comes into Sundays game ranked seventh overall and sixth against the pass despite a lengthy line of injuries, not to mention linebacker Jerrell Freemans four-game suspension for violating the NFLs policy against performance-enhancing drugs. The Bears have been getting production from young players such as rookie linebackers Leonard Floyd and Nick Kwiatkoski.Floyd, the ninth overall pick, had two sacks in last weeks win over San Francisco. He has seven on the season, along with a fumble recovery for a touchdown and a safety, despite missing three games with injuries.Fangio insisted his relationship with Fox is fine, that it hasnt changed, and that he gets plenty of autonomy from a head coach with a defensive background.We pretty much do what I see fit to do 98 percent of the time, he said.The other two percent?Well, Im always going to leave you a little bit there. Nothings . thats just the way it is, Fangio said.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL. ' ' '