RIO DE JANEIRO -- Neither ranking points nor Zika, nor politics, nor an arduous ATP season could have kept Andy Murray from Rio. Air Max 270 React Noir .Although pro athletes withdrew from these Olympic Games over the past few months for a wide variety of reasons, the two-time Wimbledon champ and defending Olympic gold medalist held firm to his commitment. He took a week and a half off after Wimbledon to rest and begin preparation for Rio and beyond at the expense of missing tournaments like the Rogers Cup in Toronto last week, where 1,000 rankings points were forfeited for the 2015 champion.The Olympics means a lot to me, Murray said Thursday, two days after being named the flag-bearer for Great Britain at Fridays opening ceremonies. Thats why this is my priority. And yeah, I lost a few ranking points, but thats fine. I was willing to sacrifice that to give myself the best chance to do well here.The native Scot was also questioned about whether his political leanings factored into his decision after he spoke out in favor of Scottish independence more than a year ago, a referendum that was denied.Ive been competing for Great Britain since I was 10 years old, Murray said. It was the first time I traveled abroad. ... My record when I compete for my country speaks for itself. I love the feeling of competing for my country.Murray cited his Davis Cup victories for Britain and called the day he won his gold medal in singles and silver in mixed doubles with Laura Robson at the 2012 London Games one of the best days in my professional life.And Im going to try my best to make the country proud again after another good run, he added.Being named the flag-bearer makes Rio that much sweeter for Murray, a three-time Olympian who said he was humbled and speechless when told the news as he was getting into bed Tuesday night.By far its the proudest moment in my professional career, he said. I never, ever thought Id get the opportunity to do this. ... Ill remember it the rest of my life.The message was carried by Mark England, Great Britains chef de mission, who spoke of Murrays perseverance throughout his career.I was thinking so many things when he told me, Murray said. I couldnt absorb everything he said. I just kept saying, Thank you so much.Murray, 29, was equally flustered when the team gathered for photographs Wednesday night, when he had to carry the flag for the first time.Im going to blame the photographers for what happened last night because I was given directions and then I ended up putting the flag in front of Princess Annes face, Murray said to chuckles from the media. I didnt know what to do, to be honest. They were telling me put the flag here, but the flag is huge, so as soon as I moved it, it was covering someones face, and last night didnt go so well.Asked how the princess reacted, Murray quipped, I think she said, Make sure you dont poke my eye out. Something along those lines. I hope she was OK. I didnt mean to do that. I was just following directions.Murray was chosen ahead of such favorites as boxer Nicola Adams and rower Katherine Grainger.Its fully deserved, and its great for British tennis as well to have someone like him representing all of the athletes [on Friday], said teammate Johanna Konta.Murrays first appearance on the tennis court will be Sunday, when he will play both singles and doubles with younger brother Jamie. Ranked No. 2 in the world, Andy Murray said he will be ready after Friday nights festivities, which he said will be inspiring.With stars such as Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka opting out of Rio because of injuries, Murray and world No. 1 Novak Djokovic are the favorites to win gold.Roger and Stan, if they were both here, everyone who has won a Grand Slam in the last 10 years or so would be playing here, Murray said. So thats unfortunate they both got injured, and some people obviously had different concerns about coming here.Maybe everyone thinks differently. For me, the Olympics is the biggest sporting event by far, and Im proud to be here to represent my country. Air Max 270 React Beige . -- Jimmy Walkers first PGA Tour trophy came with a special gift tucked inside. Air Max 270 React Blanche . -- 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. http://www.airmax270reactpascher.fr/faus...-noir-bleu.html . From filmmaker Nanette Burstein (On the Ropes), The Price of Gold revisits the saga that rocked the figure skating world ahead of the 1994 Lillehammer Olympic Winter Games: the assault on Nancy Kerrigan, and the plot that led its way back to her rival Tonya Harding. Some of the sports stories The Associated Press is covering Thursday. A full Sports Digest will be sent by about 3 p.m. A full Olympic Digest has been sent. All times EDT:- RIO DE JANEIRO -- Michael Phelps has his sights on a 22nd gold medal, but hell have to hold off a familiar nemesis. Ryan Lochte is set to challenge Phelps in the 200-meter individual medley, which will likely be the final chapter in one of the sports greatest rivalries. Finals start 9 p.m.- RIO DE JANEIRO -- American Simone Biles heads into the womens individual all around gymnastics competition with a none-too shabby record: She has already won three world championships and a team Olympic gold. Aly Raisman, another American who won gold with Biles in the team competition, is also in the mix. Event starts 4 p.m.- RIO DE JANEIRO -- The group stage of the Olympic beach volleyball tournament was six days and 72 matches. All that to eliminate just six of 24 teams. Eliminations and draws at 9 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.- RIO DE JANEIRO -- After rain wipes out a full day of play in the Olympic tennis competition, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray are scheduled to be in action, with Nadal set to play three matches.- RIO DE JANEIRO -- The mens sprint gold medal is on the line during the first day of competition at the Rio Olympics velodrome. Also in action are the mens and womens pursuit teams as the track cycling program gets going. Team sprint finals begin 6:20 p.m.- RIO DE JANEIRO -- American Kayla Harrison defends the Olympic judo title she won four years ago, after making history in winning the countrys first-ever judo gold at the London Games. She will likely face off against her biggest rival, Brazilian Mayra Aguiar.- Coverage of six NFL preseason ggames: Washington at Atlanta (7 p. Air Max 270 React Doré. m.); Tampa Bay at Philadelphia (7 p.m.); Carolina at Baltimore (7:30 p.m.); New Orleans at New England (7:30 p.m.); Jacksonville at New York Jets (7:30 p.m.); Denver at Chicago (8 p.m.).- BOSTON -- Alex Rodriguez will make his final start at Fenway Park as a Yankee when New York faces the Red Sox in the rubber match of their three-game series. Rodriguez, who announced earlier this week that he would play his final game in pinstripes in New York on Friday, made his major league debut in Boston in 1994. Game starts 7:10 p.m.- CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs look to extend their season-high win streak to 10 when they send Jon Lester to the mound to start a four-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Carlos Martinez starts for the second-place Cardinals, who trail the Cubs by 12 games in the NL Central. Game starts 8:05 p.m.- Oklahoma already has a record nine Big 12 championships, and last season took the league into the College Football Playoff for the first time. While the smallest Power Five conference could be expanding, the Sooners seem to have everything in place to push for another playoff chance and again top the current group of 10 teams.- Last year proved the Mountain West can be more than just Boise State and everyone else when it comes to the conference title race, as evidenced by San Diego State winning its first outright conference crown. On the national scene, its still the Broncos and everyone else as the 2016 season begins.- COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Opening round of the U.S. Senior Open at Scioto Country Club in Columbus. ' ' '