The 2016 Summer Olympics came to an end Sunday night with a closing ceremony in Rio that had a little of everything: samba dancers, giant parrots, Simone Biles carrying the American flag, an encore from Tongas greased-up flag-bearer Pita Nikolas Taufatofua, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe emerging from a huge green warp pipe dressed as Super Mario.Team USA marched with extra swagger, winning the medal count for the sixth straight Summer Games. The Americans not only led the way with 121 medals, they also led in every medal category -- gold, silver and bronze -- for the seventh time in Olympic history and first since 1948.Doing a great deal of the heavy lifting for America, once again, were the women, accounting for 61 of the countrys medals. The men won 55, and five were won in mixed events. That the American women out--earned the men for a second straight Games is particularly impressive considering that just 44 percent of the medals given out in Rio were in womens events.From Biles and Katie Ledecky to Claressa Shields and Kim Rhode, the U.S. women absolutely dominated. In fact, if Team USA were divided into separate mens and womens teams, the ladies 61 medals would be third overall at the Games, behind only the combined mens and womens efforts of Great Britain and China. Their 27 golds would be tied for first with Great Britain.The success of Americas female Olympians is due, in part, to the passing of Title IX in 1972. The law barred discrimination in education, greatly impacting athletic programs for women and girls from collegiate levels on down.Title IX paved the way and created so many opportunities for women in sport, nine--time Olympic medalist Allyson Felix told the United States Olympic Committee. I feel so proud and so inspired by the strong women on our team. Its such an amazing group to be a part of and I think about all the images of successful women reaching young girls back at home --- those are the things that last.Indeed, the Olympics are a rare time when viewers take in nearly as many images of female athletes as male. A time when the accomplishments of female athletes are given the same weight as those of their male counterparts. America seemed particularly enchanted with the achievements of the female gymnasts, swimmers and runners, who captured countless headlines and tons of airtime. And if fans wanted to watch events that might not make primetime --say, womens wrestling or weightlifting ?they could live stream them online. It was the most access viewers have had to Olympic events.With each medal won, the U.S. women demanded more and more of the spotlight. Yes, sometimes the coverage they received wasnt as winning as their athletic achievements, but even in those moments of misogyny, some progress could be found. Caitlin Kelly, managing editor of Vice Sports, spoke on my podcast about how the strong reaction to the sexist coverage is a win.One thing that was ... encouraging was seeing that people are pointing it out, Kelly said. I think more and more people have the language now to be able to point it out and to be able to discuss why its problematic and why portraying female athletes in the same way that male athletes have always been portrayed is so important.I think theres definitely progress being made, Kelly continued. People are more aware, maybe, of what we want our sports world to look like. And feel more empowered through social media and have a platform to say what we think people should be focusing on when they talk about women in sports.On Sunday night, in a sea of Olympians, Biles stood out, despite her 4-foot-9 frame. She was inundated with photo requests from American teammates and athletes from other countries, as well. In a stadium full of literal and figurative giants, a small but powerful female athlete was the star, and the respect her fellow competitors showed her should be an example for fans and media. Discount Jordan 4 Motorsport . The Olympic champion curler and TSN curling analyst immediately went online to look at the Halls long list of honoured members. Thats when the enormity of the honour sunk in. Air Jordan 4 Wholesale . The move comes after the Canadiens were approached by the Buffalo Sabres for permission to speak to Dudley - a former Sabres player and head coach. "The Sabres called for permission and I appreciate that, Im flattered, Dudley told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of ESPN. http://www.wholesalejordan12.com/discount-jordan-12-wholesale/cheap-jordan-12-gym-red-china.html . - The Oakland Raiders re-signed offensive lineman Khalif Barnes on Friday. Cheap Jordan 12 Wings . Hey!" The lower tier of the School End of Queens Park Rangers Loftus Road was packed solid with a very festive-sounding Chelsea choral section in this particular part of South Africa Road London, W12. Cheap Jordan 12 Black . "Thank you for the warm welcome," Beckham said on an 80-degree February morning. In this case, it was soccer weather. The sport moved a step closer to returning to South Florida on Wednesday, when Beckham confirmed he has exercised his option to purchase a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Miami. SAN FRANCISCO -- Madison Bumgarner wants another even-year World Series championship. Thats what drives him, not the milestones and accolades he piles up along the way.Bumgarner lined a key two-run double in the sixth and emphatically pumped his arms while yelling in celebration at second base, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-3 on Friday night to maintain their slim lead for the second NL wild card.Brandon Belt added a three-run homer in the seven-run inning and Bumgarner (15-9) beat the Dodgers for the first time in seven starts since May 21, 2015. It was win No. 100 of his career.Thats a special thing getting the opportunity to do that, he said. Theres a lot more at stake.The Mets stayed one game ahead of the Giants for the top wild card, while San Francisco remained a game up on St. Louis for the second spot.Angel Pagan might have made the play of the night -- without his glove or bat. He body-slammed a male fan in the left field grass during the fourth inning after he ran onto the field offering white paper flowers. Pagan realized he had to do something to slow the man down, unsure whether there was any motive to harm a player.I was just trying to protect myself and protect my teammates. The guy was getting closed to my teammates, Pagan said. I guess it was very explosive. Us athletes, weve got that kind of strength. ...It worked.Buster Posey earlier shoved the man to the ground. Pagan, who held the man down until security reached him, received a roaring ovation from the sellout crowd when the half-inning ended and tipped his cap.Thats just weird. Any time somebody comes on the field youre a little bit uneasy, Posey said. He probably shouldve been charged with a flop.Once Rich Hill left the game, San Francisco pounced against Brandon McCarthy (2-3).Pinch-hitter Conor Gillaspie started things in the sixth with a go-ahead two-run double, and pinch-hitter Denard Spans RBI single chased McCarthy before he retired a batter. He had a walk followed by five straight hits.They just hit everything I threw, McCarthy said. Im angry but other than that it was so fast and so violent that I dont really know what kind of emotions to take from it.Bumgarner stopped a four-start winless stretch, allowing three runs and eight hits in 7 1/3 innings. He had been 0-4 in his previous six starts against Los Angeles, 0-2 this season.Kike Hernandez hit a go-ahead single off Bumgarner in the sixth, but the Giants answered big with the batss.ddddddddddddHill allowed two runs and six hits in five innings. He pitched for the first time since Sept. 20 also against the Giants after the Dodgers skipped his last turn as a precaution because he has dealt with blisters on his pitching hand this season.Manager Dave Roberts planned to monitor Hill and keep his outing short given he will draw Game 2 of the NL Division Series next week.Yasiel Puigs RBI double to left in the first scored Corey Seager, who made a headfirst slide into home to narrowly beat Pagans throw. Carlos Ruiz followed with an RBI single for a 2-0 lead.The Giants got it right back in the bottom half, on Poseys RBI single and a sacrifice fly by Pagan.Were on a mission right now, Pagan said. We already started the playoffs right here.Bumgarner and Puig got into it on Sept. 19 at Dodger Stadium, causing both benches to clear. Puig was booed during pregame introductions, though neither manager expected any further issue.The Giants are 14-4 at home against the Dodgers since the start of the 2015 season.WILLIE MAC AWARDBrandon Crawford and Javier Lopez shared the honor named for Hall of Famer Willie McCovey. They were presented the award in an on-field ceremony before the game for being most inspirational on the field and in the clubhouse as chosen by players, coaches and training staff.Its a huge honor for me winning this award, especially growing up a Giants fan, Crawford said.The Dodgers politely watched from their dugout.TRAINERS ROOMDodgers: Roberts said the Dodgers are considering four starters for the NLDS, giving themselves insurance if Clayton Kershaw or Hill were to have any health issues. Its a possibility, Roberts said. A lot depends on Game 1 and how it plays out. It doesnt make any sense to forecast what were going to do.Giants: INF Eduardo Nunez, nursing a right hamstring strain, missed his fourth straight game and wont play Saturday. Sunday seems unlikely as well but manager Bruce Bochy is hopeful he could be ready for a wild-card game. Nunez was scheduled to play easy catch, swing off the tee and try to do some light running on a treadmill.UP NEXTDodgers: Kershaw (12-3, 1.65 ERA) is 1-1 with a 0.86 ERA in four starts since coming off the disabled list Sept. 9. He is 18-7 with a 1.58 ERA in 34 career starts against the Giants.Giants: LHP Ty Blach was named Saturdays starter postgame. ' ' '