When Canadas only World Cup ski champion was invited to participate in a 2014 Olympic torch relay at the North Pole, he probably wasnt expecting his fellow runners would be world-class Arctic scientists. One Canadian Arctic expert calls it mind-boggling that Steve Podborski was chosen by the federal government to represent Canada at an event designed to honour researchers who have made a considerable contribution to Arctic studies and exploration. Last year, months before the Sochi Winter Games, Russia invited members of the Arctic Council - eight countries that have stakes in the Far North - to take part in an Olympic torch relay at the North Pole. The Russian Olympic Committee is seeking to finalize the list of torch bearers for the torch relay by they end of September 2013, said a September 12, 2013 memo by Morris Rosenberg, Canadas deputy minister of foreign affairs, to foreign minister John Baird. Russia has invited all Arctic Council states to delegate representatives to participate in the North Pole portion of the torch relay that Russia is organizing as part of the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi. Russia asks countries to propose an individual who has made a considerable contribution to Arctic studies and exploration. Russia planned to transport the torchbearers by nuclear icebreaker from Murmansk to the North Pole in late October. Other Arctic Council countries including Sweden, Finland and Norway had reacted positively to Russias request, Rosenberg wrote. In Canada, that decision was more difficult. Over the last few years, the government of Canada and prime minister Stephen Harper seem to have been ensnared in a 21st-century Cold War with scientists. The government has handcuffed publicly financed scientists from communicating with the public and with other scientists, according to newspapers including The New York Times. The showdown began in 2008 when Environment Canada ordered scientists to refer all questions from the public to communications officers. Since then, the government has monitored and restricted the distribution of information about everything from climate change to fisheries to the Alberta tar sands. A week before Rosenbergs memo, hundreds of scientists in white lab coats took to Parliament Hill to demand Harpers government stop the muzzling. The protest was one of many held across the country by an advocacy group called Evidence for Democracy. The Ottawa protest came after Canadas information commissioner Suzanne Legault launched an investigation into the muzzling, saying she would investigate six federal departments. The federal government has disputed the claims of protestors, saying that scientists and experts are readily available to share their research with the public and the media. Still, consider the scientists other countries sent to the torch relay. Denmark sent Christian Marcussen, a chief scientist who works with the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland. Sweden sent Ylva Sjoberg, a doctoral student focusing on polar research at Stockholm University. Finland sent Lassie Neininen, a professor of arctic policy at the University of Lapland. Norway offered a pair of professors from Norways Arctic University, while Iceland sent Steingrimur Jonsson, a professor and scientist at the University of Akureyri. Canada sent Podborski, a bronze medalist at the 1980 Lake Placid Games and the first North American in 1982 to win a World Cup season title in the downhill. It would have been nice to see anyone who does science in the Arctic get that kind of exposure. I have no idea what Podborskis academic credentials are, said Pierre Fogal, a researcher at the University of Toronto who has studied the Arctic. He was a hell of a skier. But I know of at least 30 or 40 top-notch researchers who could have been filled that role. Im not at all surprised at this. its entirely in keeping with their approach. Its mind-boggling. The Canadian government seems to think science is okay but scientists arent. Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman John Babcock said the government decided the Canadian Olympic Committee, would be best placed to identify the most suitable candidate to participate in the North Pole Olympic torch relay. Babcock referred questions to the Canadian Olympic Committee. COC spokesman Marc-Andre Plouffe wrote in an emailed statement that Podborski was sent to the torch relay based on his immense contributions that he has an continues to make to the Olympic movement. This was a clear choice considering he was the chef de mission and the highest ranking sport official for Canadas Olympic team in Sochi. A COC source pointed out that Canada wasnt the only country to send an athlete to the North Pole torch relay. 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"It is always special to play well in front of my dad," Harrison said. "Hes seen me play plenty of times, but you still always want to do well." Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said it "was a big show up night" for Harrison as each of three hits came with two outs. "Those are game-changers," Hurdle said. "It was a very big night for Josh. It was fun to watch." Andrew McCutchen also homered for Pittsburgh, which had lost nine of 12 going into the series against the NL Central-leading Brewers. With the win, Pittsburgh now trails Milwaukee by five games. Jeff Locke (5-3) pitched six strong innings, giving up two runs and two hits. He walked six, but was able to strand five runners. Yovani Gallardo (8-7) lasted just five innings, allowing six runs on eight hits and three walks. Ryan Brauns two-run homer in the first inning gave Milwaukee a 2-0 lead. It was his 16th home run of the season, but just his second since July 22 as hes been slowed by a sore thumb. Pittsburgh came right back in the second for 3-2 lead, taking advantage of Gallardos wildnesss as he issued two straight walk after an error by third baseman Aramis Ramirez.dddddddddddd Jody Mercer hit a sacrifice fly and Harrison lined a two-run double. The Pirates made it 4-2 on Neil Walkers RBI triple in the third and Harrison singled home a run in the fourth. McCutchen hit his 18th home run of the season leading off the fifth. It was his third game since coming off the disabled list because of a rib fracture and it was his first home run since he hit two against Cincinnati on July 12. Harrison hit a two-run homer in the eighth. WALK THIS WAY The Pirates won despite issuing eight walks and recording only one strikeout. Hurdle said he cannot remember winning a game with those type of stats. TRAINERS ROOM Pirates: Hurdle expressed cautious optimism that INF Clint Barmes would be able to rejoin the team during a three-game series with St. Louis that starts Monday. Barmes has been out since early July with a left groin strain and is currently on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis. Brewers: RHP Kyle Lohse, who missed his last start due to a sore right ankle, is set to start Monday against the San Diego Padres. Lohse threw a bullpen session Friday and said afterward he felt good. ... RHP Matt Garza (left oblique strain) will throw a bullpen session Sunday. Manager Ron Roenicke said he hopes Garza would return to the starting rotation in early September. ON DECK Pirates: RHP Edinson Volquez (10-7) starts Saturday at Miller Park. He has won six of his last seven decisions. Brewers: RHP Wily Peralta (15-7), tied for the major league lead in wins, faces the Pirates. ' ' '