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SOCHI, Russia -- IOC President Thomas Bach accused world leaders Tuesday of using the Sochi Olympics as a political platform "on the backs of the athletes," and of snubbing the games without even being invited. Three days before the opening of Russias first Winter Games, Bach used a hard-hitting speech to call out politicians for using the Olympics to make an "ostentatious gesture" serving their own agendas. Without naming any individuals, Bachs comments appeared directed at President Barack Obama and European politicians who have taken stands against Russias law banning gay "propaganda" among minors. The Olympics, Bach said, should not be "used as a stage for political dissent or for trying to score points in internal or external political contests." "Have the courage to address your disagreements in a peaceful direct political dialogue and not on the backs of the athletes," he said at a ceremony attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin. "People have a very good understanding of what it really means to single out the Olympic Games to make an ostentatious gesture which allegedly costs nothing but produces international headlines. "In the extreme, we had to see a few politicians whose contributions to the fight for a good cause consisted of publicly declining invitations they had not even received." The buildup to the Olympics has been overshadowed by Western criticism of the anti-gay law and Russias record on human rights and other issues, making Sochi among the most politically charged games in years. Obama and key European leaders are shunning the Olympics. Obama, in a clear message against the anti-gay laws, has sent a delegation to Sochi made up of three openly gay athletes -- tennis great Billie Jean King, 2006 Olympic hockey medallist Caitlin Cahow and figure skater Brian Boitano. For the first time since 2000, the U.S. delegation to an Olympics will not include a president, vice-president or first lady. Former Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano leads the delegation. German President Joachim Gauck and French President Francois Hollande are also not coming to Sochi. Neither is British Prime Minister David Cameron. Bach reiterated again that Putin had given the IOC assurances that the Olympic Charter would be upheld during the games and that homosexuals would not be discriminated against. Bach said Olympic values stand against any form of discrimination, including on grounds of sexual orientation. But he stressed the IOC must be "politically neutral without being apolitical" and that athletes must not use the Olympic Village and venues for "political demonstrations." The IOC has come under criticism for not doing more to fight the anti-gay law, but Bach said the committee was a sports organization with limited responsibilities. "We are not a supra-national government," he said. "We are not a superior world-parliament. We do not have a mandate to impose measures on sovereign states." Bachs speech was delivered at a ceremony marking the opening of the IOCs three-day session, or general assembly, ahead of the games. The Germans sharp comments marked a strong contrast with the relatively anodyne, diplomatic speeches of his predecessor, Jacques Rogge. Bach, winner of a fencing gold medal at the 1972 Olympics, was elected in September to succeed Rogge, who served for 12 years. Bach acknowledged there had been "a lot of skepticism in and outside the IOC" when Sochi was awarded the Olympics in 2007. "Now, seven years later, we can see that Sochi, that Russia has delivered," he said. Putin lauded the IOCs decision to bring the games to the Black Sea resort. "We realize what a difficult decision this was to hold the games in a city that barely had 10 to 15 per cent of the necessary infrastructure," he said. "You believed in us, you believed in the Russian character which can overcome all difficulties." "In the space of five years," Putin added, "we built world-class sports venues and city infrastructure that normally takes decades to build." Cheap Stiched NFL Jerseys .Tatjana Haenni, FIFAs head of womens competitions, told a FIFA Live Your Goals Tour news conference Friday that the artificial turf is being tested to make sure it meets standards. Nike NFL Jerseys China . Snedekers best result so far this year is a tie for eighth place at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March. He sits 113th in FedEx Cup standings and has dropped to 31st in world rankings — not the results expected from a player ranked fourth in the world only two years ago. http://www.stitchedjerseysnfl.com/.Y. - The Buffalo Sabres reassigned forward Sam Reinhart to the WHLs Kootenay Ice on Friday. Stitched Nike NFL Jerseys . Hes the same player he always was, only now his efforts are being rewarded. The rookie manager has made a habit of heaping praise on others when things are going well, and accepting criticism when they arent. But in the case of Hurtado, its what the coach is NOT saying that may be the secret to a superb run of form. Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys Outlet . Bryce Harper? He also came into Wednesday without a long ball and hadnt driven in a run. He was hitting .160, had nearly three times as many strikeouts as hits and was dropped to seventh in the batting order.REGINA - The Saskatchewan Roughriders expect to see a much different Mike Reilly this weekend. The Edmonton quarterback will be looking to help the Eskimos avenge a 39-18 opening-day thrashing when the Roughriders visit Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday. Watch this battle on TSN and TSN Mobile TV, today at 4pm et/1pm pt. "He has a different level of experience now," Roughriders head coach Corey Chamblin said, citing a number of intangibles such as "maturity" and "poise." Reilly, acquired in a trade with the B.C. Lions in the off-season, completed only 17 of 35 passes for 259 yards against Saskatchewan on opening day. He threw for a touchdown, but was intercepted three times. Now seven games into the season, Reilly has connected on 128 of 206 passes for 1,728 yards, with nine touchdowns and six interceptions. He has also carried the ball 26 times for 229 yards and a touchdown, and even caught a 15-yard touchdown strike from slotback Cary Koch. That includes an impressive performance in a close loss to Toronto last week, when he went 35-of-46 for 511 yards and three touchdowns. "He is definitely finding his groove," said Roughriders linebacker Weldon Brown. Chamblin observed that this is true of the Eskimos offence as a whole. "Theyre starting to do the things you have to do to win," Chamblin said. "Were going to have to play solid defence against them." In particular, the Roughriders must contend with Fred Stamps, a potentially explosive slotback who has 28 receptions for 573 yards and four touchdowns. "(Stamps) is a good receiver, without a doubt," said Roughriders defensive back Dwight Andderson.dddddddddddd "This league has a lot of good receivers, and hes definitely one of them." Saskatchewan quarterback Darian Durant expressed a good deal of respect for Edmontons defensive front seven, and he stressed the importance of the ground game as a means of nullifying the pass rush. The Roughriders (6-1) and Eskimos (1-6) are at opposite ends of the West Division standings and Durant believes the best way to discourage any thoughts of an upset is "to jump on them early." Chamblin has been stressing all season that the Roughriders focus on "fundamentals and execution." Chamblin is a firm believer in the basics, and he isnt reluctant to makes changes. Case in point: Jock Sanders. Last weekend, in a thrilling 24-21 victory over the visiting Montreal Alouettes, Sanders twice fumbled the ball away on punt returns, and has been temporarily relieved of his responsibilities. Against the Eskimos, Chamblin said, the Roughriders will be returning punts "by committee." They will also be operating on offence without the services of wide receiver Rob Bagg, who was injured in the game against the Alouettes. Bagg has 14 catches for 225 yards and three touchdowns, but he also has a history of serious knee injuries. Fortunately, this latest occurrence has turned out to be less serious than was first thought. Team doctors have diagnosed it as a sprain, and according to Chamblin, Baggs status is day-to-day. "Robs an inspiration to everyone in the locker-room," said fellow wide receiver Scott McHenry, noting that in Baggs absence it will be necessary for "someone to step in and pick up the slack." ' ' '