best this club has ever had," said Earthquakes

VANCOUVER -- More than four years after the Olympic flame went out on the West Coast, the Vancouver Organizing Committee released its final reports Thursday and turned out the lights. Matt Joyce Jersey . VANOC said the Games broke even, with total revenues and expenses just shy of $1.9 billion. The group that organized the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics has no more assets or outstanding debts and has asked government to dissolve the company. "It was 11 years ago yesterday we took the stage in Prague and we made promises," CEO John Furlong said in an interview. "We made commitments in the name of the country, we made commitments to the IOC and we made commitments to the Canadian public that we would deliver the Games in the black and so we set out to do that." It was a challenging journey, he said, pointing out the global economic collapse in 2008. "I think that worried us," Furlong said. With the Sochi Games in the not-so-distant past and fresh concerns about the World Cup in Brazil, Furlong said there has been much discussion about the cost of such large events and the difficulties some countries have had. "I look at our situation and think we are a very good model of how to do these events. This is, to me, very good for the Canada brand of being reliable, being trustworthy, keeping your promises, being on time and on budget, being responsible about the things that really matter to the public," he said. At the end of the day, the final financial report said the federal government contributed $74.4 million, the British Columbia government $113.4 million and other governments $176 million. The International Olympic Committee kicked in $659 million in sponsorships and contributions to help cover the tab. Ticket sales raised $269 million, while licensing and merchandising accounted for another $54 million. An independent audit by Ernst and Young confirmed the results. The final financial statement said all sites have been remediated and turned over to the province and local governments as legacy venues and the organizing committee asked government to dissolve the company after its final meeting on June 27. The final report said several claims and disputed contracts have been resolved since the event, along with an 18-month coroners review of the Whistler Sliding Centre, where a Georgian luger was killed in a training accident. Critics point out that some of the most expensive infrastructure of the Games, including the Sea to Sky Highway, the Vancouver Convention Centre and a rapid transit line to the airport were not included in the final tally. The expansion of the Vancouver Convention Centre cost $883 million, $388 million over budget. The SkyTrains Canada Line linking Vancouver to the airport cost $2.1 billion. But Furlong said all the buildings and infrastructure are currently in use and board chairman Ken Dobell said the Games left a debt-free legacy for the country. "First of all, it cost what it was supposed to cost," Dobell said. Significant capital upgrades were made that had to happen sooner or later, and the host communities now have recreation and community facilities for residents. "Was it a worthwhile endeavour? The way Vancouver did it, for sure," he said. Tyler Flowers Jersey .com) - Stanley Johnson had 18 points and No. Julio Teheran Jersey . The Brazilian-born strikers brace drew him level with Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo as the leagues leading scorers with 17 goals apiece through 16 rounds. "The important thing is to help the team win, not the goals," Diego Costa said. After a first half dominated by defence, Atletico pressed Valencia into its area and Diego Costa did the rest. http://www.baseballbravesproshop.com/adam-duvall-braves-jersey/ . -- Michael Phelps is 0 for 1 in his comeback to the pool.Santa Clara, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - The San Jose Earthquakes announced Tuesday that longtime captain Ramiro Corrales will retire at the conclusion of the 2013 season. Corrales, 36, is the last remaining player in MLS to appear in a match during the leagues inaugural season in 1996. "Its been an honor playing much of my career here in San Jose," Corrales said. "I have a lot of great memories, from that first season in 1996 to the MLS Cups in 2001 and 2003 to the expansion season in 2008. Its been a great ride and Id like to thank everybody - fans, players, coaches - for their support along the way." Corrales currently sits as San Joses all-time leader in games played (249), starts (227) and minutes played (20,117), but is also No. 4 in Earthquakes history with 32 assists and No. 11 with 16 goals. "Ramiro was a phenomenal player and one of the best this club has ever had," said Earthquakes general manager John Doyle. "I think iit was great to be able to play with Ramiro and see him mature from a 19-year-old kid to a grown man. Adam Duvall Jersey. His contributions over the years have meant a lot to this organization." Corrales was drafted 81st overall by the Columbus Crew in the 1996 Inaugural Player Draft but was immediately traded to the San Jose Clash. He played two seasons with the Clash before joining the Miami Fusion via the 1997 Expansion Draft, but only managed one appearance with the club. The Salinas, Calif., native was dealt early in the 1998 season to the New York/New Jersey MetroStars where he helped the team reach the MLS Cup Playoffs in 1998 and 2000. Corrales made his return to San Jose in 2001 and guided the club to its most successful stint in franchise history, helping the club to MLS Cup titles in 2001 and 2003. He enjoyed a stint in Europe from 2004 to 2007 with Norwegian sides Hamarkameratene and SK Brann before returning to San Jose for good in 2008. ' ' '