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ANCIENT OLYMPIA, Greece -- Using the suns rays, the Olympic flame lighting for the Winter Games in Sochi went off without a hitch in southern Greece Sunday, ahead of its journey across Russias nine time zones and even a trip to space before the Feb. 7-23 games. The ceremony was held with actresses dressed as ancient priestesses at the birthplace of the Greek games held in antiquity, with the flame lighting using a parabolic mirror. Actress Ino Menegaki, in the role of high priestess, called out to the ancient god of the sun, Apollo, before the flame was lit and passed to 18-year-old Greek alpine skier Ioannis Antoniou. NHL star Alex Ovechkin was the first Russian involved in the torch relay. Moments before the being handed the torch, the Washington Capitals winger said: "To be honest with you, its going to be (an) experience for all my life, and you know, I am proud to be Russian and proud to be here." Newly elected International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach was present at the ceremony. He said he had discussed an ongoing controversy with games organizers about Russias record on the treatment of gays and had received assurances of non-discrimination at the games. "We have the assurances of the highest authorities in Russia, and yesterday I spoke with the Russian delegation here in Olympia again and they reassured us that the Olympic Charter will fully apply for all the participants of the games," Bach said. Sundays 20-minute ancient re-enactment, involving 21 priestesses dressed in cream-colored pleated dresses, marked the start of the build-up to the games -- centred on the torch relay. The Russian leg of the relay is set to cover more than 40,000 miles before the Winter Games, carrying the torch by hot-air balloon, dog sled and a nuclear-powered ice breaker before its scheduled trip to space on Nov. 7. "The Olympic Games ... should inspire the people of the world and especially the political authorities by showing them that quarrels and conflicts can be addressed with peaceful means," Bach said before the ceremony. "I think it will have a very positive effect on Russia. It will show a new Russia to the world and also open up civil society." Sochi organizers promised the torch route would be within an hours travel of an estimated 90 per cent of Russias population "There is no greater privilege than to stand here in the spiritual home of the Olympic Movement," Dmitry Chernyshenko, chief organizer of Sochi 2014, said at Ancient Olympia. "This is the beginning of an epic journey for the Olympic Torch, a journey that will change Russia forever." The weekend ceremony was overshadowed by the arrest in Athens of the leadership of the countrys far-right Golden Dawn party on charges of forming a criminal organization. The Greek leg of the relay will cover around 1,250 miles until an Oct. 7 handover ceremony in the Panathenian Stadium in Athens, venue of the first modern Olympics in 1896. Some 2,800 athletes from more than 80 countries are due to compete at Sochi. Oscar Dansk Jersey .75 million contract for the 2014 season and avoided arbitration. The team announced the agreement on Tuesday. Cody Eakin Jersey . A receiver doesnt make the catch on a passing play and instantly motions to the ref – and everybody else – for a pass interference flag. http://www.officialgoldenknightspro.com/. He still wanted out. "It just seemed like the direction they were going didnt fit what I thought my career was going to be," Kesler said. "At the end of the day I want to win a championship and I want to win it now, and four years is a little too long for me. Marc-Andre Fleury Jersey . Still, Inter moved one point ahead of Parma in the race for fifth place and the final Europa League spot. Udinese remained 14th, 11 points above the relegation zone. Inter was beaten 2-1 by Atalanta at home on Sunday and has won only seven of 16 matches at the San Siro this season, as the squad seems to still be searching for its identity under new owner Erick Thohir and first-year manager Walter Mazzarri. Reilly Smith Jersey .Former NBA forward Morris Peterson has been added to TSNs Toronto Raptors broadcast team.LONDON -- Roger Federer had never lost his opening match at the ATP World Tour Finals since the elite tournament moved to London in 2009. Until now, that is. On the back of a chaotic and disappointing season, the former World No. 1 was beaten on Tuesday for the second time in less than a week by defending champion Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-2. The Serb extended his winning streak to 18 matches after capturing his sixth title of the season last week in Paris, where he defeated Federer in the semifinal. Djokovic kept alive his chances of overtaking Rafael Nadal in the race for the year-end No. 1 spot. "It was a big challenge physically," Djokovic said. "Only 48 hours ago I was playing in Paris, so to be able to play this well and beat Roger is incredible. "I have to enjoy the win and then think about the recovery because its a big win. The good thing is, there is a day off. Im going to try and recharge my batteries mentally and physically and get ready for (Juan Martin) Del Potro." Djokovic is attempting to finish No. 1 for the third year in a row but Nadal, who eased past David Ferrer 6-3, 6-2, needs only a win against Stanislas Wawrinka on Wednesday to be guaranteed the top spot. This 31st encounter between Federer and Djokovic -- a remake of last years final -- produced a somewhat disjointed match laced with unforced errors and flashes of brilliant tennis leaving both players looking exhausted toward the end of the match. "Again, I was able to recover from all those matches and actually felt physically somewhat fine," said Federer, who won his last Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2012 and has only two victories against top-10 opponents in 2013. "So I regret not having taken my chances better maybe." Federer, the oldest man in the draw at 32, refused to draw early conclusions from a season in which he had back problems and dropped to seventh in the rankings. "The season is not done yet," he said. "Lets talk about this stuff in hopefully four matches." Federer and Djokovic neutralized themselves until the ninth game when the Serb was down 15-30. A double fault gave Federer his first break point, but he sent a forehand wide on the next point. Djokovic then took the next two points to hold his serve. The Serb earned two break points in the next game with a superb backhand return. The cheering from the legion of Swiss supporters packed in the stands didnt help Federer as he fluffed a forehand to lose the set. After rallying from 0-40 to break Djokovic for a 3-2 lead in the second set, Federer dropped his serve in the next game.dddddddddddd He double-faulted after Djokovic earned a break point with a backhand that hit the net cord before going over. Serving for the set at 5-4, Federer made another unforced error on his usually reliable forehand to squander a set point. Djokovic seized his chance, sending Federer in the ropes with a stretched crosscourt winner before levelling at 5-5. Federer smashed a ball toward the scoreboard hanging over the court in frustration. Federer kicked back into life in the tiebreak, winning the last five points with a string of beautiful shots that included a backhand volley, a crosscourt winner, and a perfect lob that Djokovic failed to return. Djokovic looked unfazed at the start of the third set to break Federer at love. He then saved a break point to consolidate his lead before taking Federers serve again after a long rally for a 4-1 lead. He sealed the match on his first chance. Despite his easy win, playing indoors will never be ideal for Nadal. The Spaniard has won all four Grand Slam tournaments and the Olympic title in his career but has never triumphed at the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals. "I like the sunshine," Nadal said when asked about the difference between playing indoors and outdoors. "The feeling on the ball, on your racket, is different" when playing indoors, Nadal said. "All of these small things that make you feel a little bit strange." The conditions didnt seem to bother him Tuesday as he beat fellow Spaniard Ferrer 6-3, 6-2 on the indoor court at Londons O2 arena. "Im happy. The court is in perfect condition here," Nadal said. "Its a good start for me, positive one." Nadal came close to winning the event in 2010 when he lost in the final to Federer. He didnt play last year because of a knee injury that kept him away for seven months before his successful comeback in February. The 13-time Grand Slam champion traded early breaks with Ferrer and then began dictating play from the baseline, forcing Ferrer into errors. Nadal converted six of seven break points, and Ferrer had 33 unforced errors. "He arrived a little bit tired after playing the final (in Paris)," Nadal said. "I played with a little more calm than the other day (against him)." Nadal earned his 21st win in 26 matches against Ferrer, but only his first indoors. Nadal and Ferrer play in Group A, along with Stanislas Wawrinka, who beat Tomas Berdych in his opening match on Monday. Djokovic and Federer are in Group B with Juan Martin del Potro and Richard Gasquet. ' ' '