iants 23 and fourth-and-1 at the Giants 6 in the first half. The offense failed to convert both times, and the six points were the difference in the outcome.I still feel strong a

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Heres a secret about table tennis. The worlds most prestigious tournament, the Olympics, is also one of the easiest.The reason for this paradox, like much about the modern version of the sport, can be linked to a single force: China.In whats widely seen as an attempt to keep China from complete domination, table tennis officials have allowed each nation at the Olympics only two entries in mens singles and two entries in womens singles.This levels the playing field, giving other countries a chance for a medal -- because of Chinas perennial strength, its likely to be bronze this year, as in past Olympics. But it also waters down the competition, keeping hard-to-beat players out of the mix and filling what should be the sports showcase tournament with weaker players.The quality is very low, said Massimo Costantini, a former Olympian who coaches the U.S. table tennis team. I understand. It gives others chances. But its fake. Its not the reality.Table tennis officials are sensitive about the matter.They point out that other sports also restrict the number of athletes from each nation. Other countries also dominate particular sports, as China does table tennis; the Americans in certain track events, for instance. But high-level table tennis, outside Asia and parts of Europe, is less popular, and so theres worry about Chinese domination killing interest in other parts of the world.The Olympics are not only for the best players, said Thomas Weikert, president of the International Table Tennis Federation, but must work to have the whole family here.Other countries have to get a medal chance, so for the image of table tennis its not so bad, Weikert said.Of course, its not so good for the high-level players who dont make the Olympics from European and Asian powers, but it is China that feels the most pain.Making the two-person singles Olympic team for China is hard because there are so many world-class players who could compete for gold if given the chance.Perhaps the most glaring example this year is the current No. 1 for women, Liu Shiwen, who wasnt chosen for Chinese singles, though shell play in the team competition. But the mens No. 2, Fan Zhendong, and No. 3, Xu Xin, also both missed out on Chinese singles.Competition, especially in the later rounds at the Olympics, is still fierce, but the two-player-per-nation rule usually gives an easier path to the sports stronger players who manage to make their national teams.Without lots of strong players from the traditional powers, theres more easy prey; if those players can be dealt with in the middle rounds, top players can put themselves on the brink of contending for a medal.Dimitrij Ovtcharov, the No. 5-ranked German and bronze medalist in London, acknowledges that its much tougher to win the world championships, for instance, which is filled with Chinese and Japanese stars, than to be Olympic champion. But, he said, most fans dont know and dont care.If you are Olympic champion you are Olympic champion. Nobody cares how many Chinese you played, Ovtcharov said. Its about the title, and the Olympic title is more prestigious than the world championship title.---Online:AP Summer Games website: http://summergames.ap.org/---Follow Foster Klug at www.twitter/apklugChina Jerseys . "Theyve both been real good," said Babcock. "Havent changed our minds." A decision has seemingly been made - Sundays Group B-deciding tilt against Finland ahead - but it could not have been an easy one. Price opened the tournament with a sturdy 19-save performance against the Norwegians, yielding just one goal. Fake Jerseys For Sale . There are some early surprises in the race for the Hart Trophy, but two of the contenders are the leagues biggest stars over the past decade. There are many more players in contention for the awards than just the three that Ive named, and a good or bad week can easily alter the landscape, but through the first 20 or so games of the NHL season, this is how the awards races look to me. https://www.fakejerseyswholesale.com/ . Now tied for second in the league in shootout goals, the 24-year-old likes to see what the opposing goaltender has in store before he ultimately lands on a move. Cheap Custom Jerseys . -- An ugly goal by Nick Bonino helped the Anaheim Ducks overcome the defensive-minded Phoenix Coyotes on a night when their ragged power play continued to struggle. Stitched Jerseys . Team physician Dr. Steve Traina performed the surgery Friday. Robinson was injured in a spill underneath the Nuggets basket during the first quarter of Wednesday nights loss to the Charlotte Bobcats.PHILADELPHIA -- Carson Wentz is playing like a rookie and Doug Pederson is making decisions like a first-year coach.The combination of inexperience and inconsistency cost the Philadelphia Eagles another game, and theyre reeling at the midpoint of the season. Theyve lost four of the last five games, including a 28-23 loss to the Giants on Sunday.That 3-0 start is a distant memory now.Were obviously building something here, but, when you look at these games, that weve been in at the end, the encouraging thing is that we really should have won those games, Pederson said Monday. As we build this thing, were going to win these games down the stretch as we go.Wentz threw a pair of interceptions on Philadelphias first two drives against New York, putting the Eagles in a 14-0 hole. They also trailed 14-0 in the first quarter in losses to Detroit and Washington.But Wentz rebounded nicely against the Giants the same way he did in the other losses only to fall short at the end.The offense had the ball with an opportunity to drive for the winning score in each of the four losses, but Wentz couldnt get it done.He threw four straight incomplete passes from the Giants 17 in the final minute. Jordan Matthews was open in the end zone on fourth-and-10, but Wentzs pass sailed over his outside shoulder.It was a good ball, Matthews said afterward. Carson put it outside, good placement. Ive just got to locate it, find it and bring it in.Wentz also took the blame.Youve got to be precise down there, he said.Their inability to finish games should be a learning experience. They also have to play better at the start.That same sense of urgency that you have to have at the end of the gamme, we have to come out with that, Matthews said.ddddddddddddWe have to come out with that same drive, that same attention to detail and that gotta-have-it mentality, weve got to go make a play right now. It comes, and lots of times it comes when were down or late in games, and then its too late.Pedersons playcalling has been questionable lately. He was conservative in an overtime loss at Dallas last week and too aggressive against New York. Pederson is calling plays for the first time in his career after serving as offensive coordinator under Andy Reid in Kansas City.He passed up field goals twice to go for fourth-and-2 at the Giants 23 and fourth-and-1 at the Giants 6 in the first half. The offense failed to convert both times, and the six points were the difference in the outcome.I still feel strong about those, Pederson said. I think the decision is to go for it. It shows confidence and belief in the guys. We were moving the ball.To me, it didnt come down to those two plays. There were enough things that cost us this football game, but I still stick by what I did -- how I chose to go for it in both of those situations.Overall, the Eagles had a first down at the Giants 22 or better on six different possessions and ended up with three field goals on those drives.The Eagles host the NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons (6-3) this week. Theyre 3-0 at home, including lopsided wins over the Steelers and Vikings.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP-RobMaaddi ' ' '