News » was never given a Stanley Cup ring by me at any

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Newly elected IOC President Thomas Bach made it clear Wednesday that he wants to change the bidding process for future Olympics and to make sustainable development a key priority. In what could be seen as a reference to discontent in Brazil at the spiraling cost of two major sporting competitions -- the 2016 Olympics and the 2014 World Cup -- Bach said he wants the populations of potential host cities to "be part of the candidature at a very early stage" to ensure "more participation and support." Bach added that he believes the current bidding system asks for "too much, too early" and leads to predictability, rather than creativity. "We approach potential candidate cities like you would do in business, with a tender for a franchise. All the bid books are written by the same people around the world -- you get the same answers," he said. "I would like to try and change that mentality a little bit, to think about bidding more as an invitation. I want to invite potential candidates to study how Olympic Games would fit into their long-term city and regional and country development... (and) could contribute to sustainable development in their environment." On Saturday, Tokyo was selected to host the 2020 Summer Olympics, fending off rival bids from Istanbul and Madrid. The Spanish capital was subject to criticism of misguided priorities, as the country grapples with a double dip recession and 27 per cent unemployment. The Japanese government faced similar concerns over the idea that it should focus on the Fukushima nuclear crisis, rather than spending billions of dollars on the Olympics. The 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, are expected to run up a budget of more than $50 billion -- the most expensive Games to date. Sebastian Coe, who led Londons 2012 Olympiad, spoke to AP about the challenges of hosting for any city. His main advice for Tokyo was to "get out of the blocks very quickly" in realizing its plans for 2020, and "be prepared to work harder than youve ever worked in your life on any single project." Wholesale Air Max 2018 . Al Harrington, another former Knicks forward, scored 22 of his 24 points after halftime for the Nuggets, allowing them to withstand Anthonys attempt to rally the Knicks after his poor shooting had them behind until the final minutes of regulation. Anthony finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds, missing 20 of 30 shots in the Knicks sixth straight loss. Blue Air Max 2018 . -- Houstons All-Star tandem of James Harden and Dwight Howard refused to let the Rockets give in to fatigue. http://www.cheapairmaxsaleonline.com/ . -- Quarterback Josh Johnson has returned to the San Francisco 49ers and his former college coach, Jim Harbaugh. Cheap Air Max 2018 . And he said Sunday that players believe nobody in Sterlings family should be able to own the Los Angeles Clippers if hes gone. Cheap Air Max 2018 China . Although head coach Randy Carlyle jokingly wondered how much actual training Bolland got done while in London. "I dont know how much training goes on when you go back to the junior team that you played for so I wouldnt read too much into that," laughed Carlyle after the Maple Leafs were put through an up-tempo practice that concluded with a 10-minute bag skate on Thursday.Infamous Boston mobster James Whitey Bulger is headed to prison, but wants to keep his most prized possession - a Montreal Canadiens 1986 Stanley Cup ring. The Boston Globe reports that Bulger, 83, has waived his right for a jurys decision on whether he can keep his guns, artwork, jewels and cash, but has stated in a court filing that he will put up a fight to retain the memento commemorating the Canadiens 23rd Stanley Cup victory. "The parties have agreed to exclude a Stanley Cup ring, which the defendant contends was a gift to him by a third-party," said the document. Guilty verdicts on Bulger were handed down on Monday for the murder of 11 people and numerous other criminal offences. Bulger was a model for Jack Nicholsons crime boss character in Martin Scorseses Oscar-winning movie The Departed. The Globe added that Bulger, 83, likely acquired the ring through connections to former Canadiens winger Chris Nilan. According to the paper, Nilan was once married to Karen Stanley, daughter of Mr. Bulgers late girlfriend Teresa Stanley and Bulger paid for the couples wedding. Nilan, who works for TSN Radio 690 in Montreal, released the following statement on Tuesday regarding the ring: "Recent media reports have iinaccurately asserted that James Bulger is in possession of a 1986 Stanley Cup ring given to him by me.dddddddddddd Those reports have no basis in fact. James Bulger was never given a Stanley Cup ring by me at any time. I won a Stanley Cup ring as a member of the 1985-86 Montreal Canadiens. I gave that ring to my father, Henry Nilan. I am currently in possession of that ring as it is being resized as a gift to my son, Christopher. In 1988, Montreal Canadiens general manager Serge Savard heard that I had given my original ring to my Dad and Serge generously presented me with a second Stanley Cup ring which I wear to this day. I commissioned a jeweller here in Montreal to make three womens Stanley Cup rings for my mother, my former wife and my late mother-in-law, Teresa Stanley. My former wife and my mother remain in possession of their rings. Mrs. Stanley wore her ring in her casket and before her burial, at Mrs. Stanleys prior request, that ring was given to my daughter. At no time, to my knowledge, did I or any member of my family give James Bulger a Stanley Cup ring. I have no idea where any ring in Mr. Bulgers possession was made and I hope that this statement provides absolute clarification in this matter." ' ' '