Hilfestellungen » in 12 games, Haas had 18 points and six rebounds

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Team GB was presented with a growing problem on Sunday: Which of its super successful athletes should it choose as its flag carrier for the closing ceremony.As each day passes, more and more stars are made as the medals roll in and the list of potential candidates gets ever stronger. Max Whitlock was one of the latest to add his name to the list on a sensational Sunday, and he didnt seem quite prepared for how much his life could change as a result.He struck gymnastics gold twice in less than two hours, in the floor exercise and pommel horse; Britain had never before won an Olympic title in his sport. Whitlock made more history for winning two individual events on the same day, something only rider Richard Meade had come close to, in 1972, when he triumphed in team and individual eventing competitions.The only dark spot on his new, ever-brightening horizon came from a Twitter storm that claimed teammate Louis Smith, who took silver and was visibly upset at the result; Smith snubbed Whitlock at the end of the competition, their rivalry seemingly taking on an ugly bitterness, but the pair embraced at the medal ceremony and Smith said later that he would rather lose to Whitlock than anyone else, that the 23-year-old deserved the gold.We are friends, said Smith, who plans to return to his television career next year, and focus on gymnastics after that. After this we will have a few drinks.Whitlock admitted the competition between them was tough, but judged on what they said, at least, it hasnt become personal. Whatever the reality of their relationship, it shouldnt detract from the magic of Whitlock. He had only given himself an outside chance of winning a medal of any colour in the floor routine on Sunday, and ended up as champion.The mistakes of others helped: six-time world all-round champion Kohai Ichimura, the man Whitlock hero-worships, stepped off the square; floor favourite Kenzo Shirai lost his footing three times; and American Samuel Mikulak put a foot out of touch.Whitlocks routine still had to be very good, and it was nearly flawless, but the way he reset between events was even more impressive.He had been jeered by a partisan crowd at the end of his routine as they cried out for their heroes, the eventual silver and bronze medallists Diego Hypolito and Artur Mariano, to succeed. He hadnt expected to take a historic gold, either, and had to prepare to take on Smith, who had been the senior partner four years ago, claiming silver to Whitlocks bronze.It was quite difficult to come back for the second event, Whitlock said after his third superb pommel horse performance of the week. I couldnt take in what I had just done in the floor. I went back into the training gym and refocused and went out to deliver again.This has outdone all of my expectations and I am proud to say I have made history. The potential has always been there in the pommel horse but the floor was different and gold didnt seem possible.Louis congratulated me coming out, which I really appreciated. We are one and two in the world, and that is a great place to be.Smith tells a story that 12 years ago British Gymnastics officials, newly deprived of funding, laughed at the idea of a Briton winning Olympic gold. Now when preparations for Tokyo 2020 draw near, they might be incredulous at the notion the nation will not take the top spot on the podium in their sport at least once.Whitlock has the potential to dominate on the pommel horse for some time -- his routine was comfortably better than those of his rivals in just about every aspect -- and he will surely be inspired to become as consistently good on the floor over the next four years.He indicated as much even before his media conference had taken place here, saying: Thats not me done. Ill be back in the gym soon and working hard; this motivates me to do even more in the sport.Off the mats and the pommel horse, life will likely be more than a little different for Whitlock. He is engaged to be married to his long-term partner, Leah Hickton, next year, and the pairs profile had risen considerably even before his stunning success in Brazil.He is a grounded guy who only really looks fazed when he is waiting for the final results at the end of an event, and that is because he doesnt like to watch his rivals and doesnt keep track.That is probably why he was able to produce two brilliant performances in such a short space of time; that and the tough, focused mindset of all great champions. Hopefully, it will also enable him and Hickton, a gymnastics coach, to handle to an intensified spotlight as the couples media appeal may well see them put on a pedestal.Mo Farah said somebody told him that his double-gold-medal feats at London 2012 would change his life forever, and he didnt believe them until he had to start going out in a hoodie to prevent photographers and others bothering him incessantly.Whitlock brushed off a similar suggestion on Sunday, and maybe the glare wont be quite as bright as it was for Farah because he isnt from track and field.Make no mistake though, his success, in his sport, was just as spectacular. Jordan Henderson Jersey . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. Adam Lallana Jersey . Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek defeated Nenad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (4) on the indoor hard-court at Belgrade Arena. 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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The last time No. 15 Purdue and Norfolk State were playing in the same college basketball venue, the Boilermakers defeated St. Marys (Calif.) before losing to Kansas in 2012 NCAA tournament action in Omaha while the Spartans stunned No. 2 seed Missouri and then lost to Florida.Purdue (10-2) and Norfolk State (3-9) will have a bit of a reunion Wednesday night in Mackey Arena, where they actually will play each other for the first time.The Spartans, who are led by guard Jonathan Wade (20 points a game), are coming off Monday nights 87-80 overtime victory against Eastern Kentucky, getting 25 from Wade in snapping an eight-game losing streak while beating a Division I opponent for the first time this season.I feel like that was huge for us, just getting that first DI win, Norfolk State fourth-year coach Robert Jones said. It brings our spirits up. I know were just still 3-9, but its a step forward in the right direction and it feels good.Purdue will be Norfolk States eighth Big Ten opponent all-time, including two losses each to Maryland and Rutgers. In all, the Spartans, who average 67 points and allow 73.2, are 0-9 against Big Ten opponents.The Boilermakers are coming off their fifth consecutive victory, an 82-50 drubbing of Western Illinois on Monday night, a game in which power forward Caleb Swanigan, 7-foot-2 center Isaac Haas and 6-8 small forward Vince Edwards combined for 55 points, 33 rebounds and eight assists, making 17 of 32 field goal attempts and 18 of 20 free throws.Swanigan produced his ninth double-double -- 21 points and 21 rebounds -- in 12 games, Haas had 18 points and six rebounds and Edwards amassed 16 points, six rebounds and six assists.In Saturdays Crossroads Classic victory against No. 25 Notre Dame, Swanigan had 26 points and 10 rebounds, and Edwards added 20 points and 10 rebouunds.ddddddddddddhroughout parts of November and December, Swanigan struggled with turnovers, Haas battled problems at the free throw line and Edwards endured a six-game stretch from Nov. 18 through Dec. 3 during which he averaged only 8.7 points, making only 18 of 47 field goal attempts (38.3 percent). Those declining numbers cost Edwards his starting spot.But in his four most recent games, Edwards is averaging 15.8 points, making 23 of 37 field goal attempts (62.2 percent).Those are encouraging signs as Purdue will open Big Ten Conference play on Dec. 28 against Iowa in Mackey Arena.When you have guys like Vince that can go inside and outside, and theyre hitting shots from the outside and grabbing rebounds, opponents dont know who to guard, Haas said. You have me and (Swanigan) on the inside working in tandem on the high-lows, and the other guy is getting the rebounds.You have Vince getting the long rebounds and hitting the outside shots. Its demoralizing to the other team. I had been in a little bit of a funk, which was frustrating, but I am getting it back like I always do.Purdue coach Matt Painter likes the way his front line is playing, led by leading scorer and rebounder Swanigan, who on Monday was selected Big Ten Player of the Week.He has a knack for getting the basketball, and when you combine that with big-time effort, its often going to be your night, Painter said. All three of those guys were really good Monday night. Vince is really making good decisions right now, and Isaac is making his free throws.Entering the Norfolk State game, Swanigan is averaging 17.2 points and 11.9 rebounds, Haas is averaging 14.3 points and 5.1 rebounds and Edwards is averaging 12 points and 5.3 rebounds. ' ' '