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MOSCOW -- Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayevas comments on her countrys law against gay "propaganda" seemed as unequivocal as the bar-clearing jump that won her the world championship: She supported the law and derided gays. But on Friday, Isinbayeva said that her comments, in somewhat fractured English the day before, may have been misunderstood and that she opposes any discrimination against gays. The clarification -- or U-turn -- underlined the sensitivity of the issue for Russia as international criticism of the law persists and calls continue for a boycott of next Februarys Winter Olympics in the Russian resort of Sochi. The Olympics, like the world championships where Isinbayeva won gold and made her comments, are part of a series of major sports events that Russia hopes will showcase the country as sophisticated and forward-looking. The propaganda law has instead provoked criticism that Russia is retreating from the modern world. Isinbayevas comments were especially dicey for Russias image. Not only is she an internationally popular athlete both for her skills and exuberance, but she is also the "mayor" of one of Sochis two Olympic villages, an honorary but symbolic and visible role. "She is a very recognized figure around the world. And I think she should be thinking of what she is saying," said Nikolai Alexeyev, Russias most prominent gay-rights activist. "I am not surprised that the story is starting to develop and she has to find an excuse for what she said." In a news conference on Thursday, the two-time Olympic gold medallist supported the Russian law and criticized two Swedish competitors for their rainbow-colored fingernails in support of gay rights. "If we allow to promote and do all this stuff on the street, we are very afraid about our nation because we consider ourselves like normal, standard people. We just live with boys with woman, woman with boys," she said. But on Friday, after her comments attracted international attention, Isinbayeva said, "English is not my first language, and I think I may have been misunderstood when I spoke yesterday." "What I wanted to say was that people should respect the laws of other countries, particularly when they are guests. I respect the views of my fellow athletes, and let me state in the strongest terms that I am opposed to any discrimination against gay people," she said in a statement released by local organizers of the championships. The law penalizes anyone who distributes information aimed at persuading minors that "nontraditional" relationships are normal or attractive. It appears that anyone wearing a rainbow flag on the street or writing about gay relationships on Facebook, for instance, could be accused of propagandizing. The law has raised concern about how gay athletes might be treated in Sochi. Russian officials have made contradictory statements about whether the law would be enforced during the games, and the International Olympic Committee has asked for clarification. Foreigners found guilty of violating the law could be imprisoned for 15 days and deported. "The Games themselves should be open to all, free of discrimination, and that applies to spectators, officials, media and of course athletes," Claudia Bokel, chair of the IOCs Athletes Commission, said on her Twitter account. "We would oppose in the strongest terms any move that would jeopardize this principle." Both the law and Isinbayevas first comments appear to have placed other Russian athletes in a quandary -- support for individual rights vs. support for their country. "On the one hand, you have to respect everybodys individuality, the interests of other people. On the other hand, you have to look at the history of each country. Every country has its own traditions," Russian triple jumper Aleksey Fedorov said Friday. Steve Cram, the British runner who won the first 1,500-meter gold medal at the 1983 world championships, competed in the 1980 Moscow Olympics, when many other Western countries refused to go for political reasons. "I dont believe in boycotts," Cram said in Moscow. "I think situations like that should be aired, should be allowed to be aired and spoken about by anyone who wants to. People should be allowed to give their opinions. I dont agree with her opinions. I dont agree with the (Russian law), but thats my personal opinion." Usain Bolt, who won the 100 metres at the world championships and was looking for a second gold medal in the 200, said: "Im always neutral. I dont get into politics. Im all about running. This is what I come here to do, to compete and to inspire the fans, inspire athletes." But he also said: "If you have an opinion on something, if you feel comfortable in talking about it, then shouldnt be a problem." Though Russia decriminalized homosexuality in 1993, antipathy toward gays has been widespread and longstanding in Russia. A survey by the independent Levada Center polling agency released a week after the law was passed found 76 per cent of Russians supported it and 17 per cent opposed it. Although Isinbayevas comments Thursday received wide attention in the West, Russian media gave them little or no attention. The sports newspaper Sport-Express ran a roundup of foreign comment on the issue on its website but not in its print edition. Cheap Air Jordan Free Shipping . The team said Saturday that Lopez was hurt during its 121-120 overtime loss at Philadelphia on Friday. The Nets said they would issue another update next week after consultation with their doctors. Cheap Jordan From China . "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. https://www.jordanchina.us/ . Now, correct me if Im wrong but I saw one official distinctly pointing at the net indicating a good goal but after an inconclusive review they overturned the goal. Shouldnt the ruling on the ice (good goal) stand after an inconclusive review? Why was this overturned? James Veaudry Pembroke, ON -- Hey Kerry, Youll get a lot of these, but why was the Montreal goal against Nashville Saturday night overturned? Eller puts the puck on net and the on ice ruling from the ref behind the net is a Montreal goal. Air Jordan Discount . Varlamov made 33 saves and Ryan OReilly had a goal and scored in the shootout as the Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Thursday night. Air Jordan China . -- Bryant McKinnie came out of his stance and lowered his shoulder into a practice squad player, causing a crisp thud to reverberate in the Miami Dolphins practice bubble. English crickets groundbreaking first full round of floodlit County Championship fixtures will be staged on June 26 next season, only five days after the summer solstice. Fixtures for the 2017 county season have also been revealed.The experiment forms part of a crammed season in which England also stages the Champions Trophy in June and features an international schedule that runs from Irelands visit on May 5 until an ODI against West Indies at the Ageas Bowl as late as September 29. The Womens World Cup also takes place in England in July.Whether floodlit Championship cricket has any success in widening the fan base remains to be seen, but one thing that can be assured is that it will not bankrupt the counties because of excessive electricity bills. With sunset not until around 9.20pm in late June, the floodlights will probably only be used for the final session.The announcement breaks new ground for the County Championship, which has only featured one previous day-night match - a trial game between Kent and Glamorgan at Canterbury in 2011.The ECB hopes to stimulate new interest in the Championship, although of more relevance perhaps is the opportunity for England players to experience the conditions before Edgbaston hosts the inaugural floodlit Test in the UK, between England and West Indies between August 17-21.With West Indies also getting a trial run under lights ahead of the Edgbaston Test, against Derbyshire from August 11-13, it means that 10 of the 18 first-class counties will stage day-night fixtures with pink balls next summer.Dukes pink balls will be used - the regular make of ball for international cricket in England - even though many of the experiments over the past decade have been with the Kookaburra ball, which is normally held to be less receptive to swing.Tom Harrison, the ECBs chief executive, who confirmed the floodlit experiment last month, said: We were excited to announce a few weeks ago that Edgbaston will be staging an historic day-night Test, and its great that the counties, and the Specsavers County Championship, can also get involved.It was important for us to arrange a full round of fixtures to give our England players the chance to experience the conditions. But just as we wanted to assess the impact of making Test cricket more accessible by changing the hours of play, the counties have really embraced the potential of Championship matches that stretch well into the evening when people have finished school or work.The early indications from Edgbaston are that day-night Test cricket is proving very popular, and hhopefully it will be the same for the Championship now the fixtures are confirmed.dddddddddddd It will be fascinating to see how it works out.In the latest tweak to the county schedule, seven Championship rounds begin on a Friday in 2017, meaning a significant increase in the amount of weekend Championship cricket. The season begins on April 7 and the final round of matches does not begin until September 25.Essex, last years Division Two champions, begin their first Division One season since 2010 with a home game against Lancashire, while Andrew Gale will have home advantage at Headingley against Hampshire - spared from relegation by Durhams punishment for falling into debt - in his first match as Yorkshires coach.Middlesex, who won their first Championship title since 1993 in such thrilling circumstances by beating Yorkshire at Lords in September, are not in action until the second round of matches, starting on Friday April 14, when they visit Hampshire.The long-running debate over the future of professional T20 cricket in England also takes another twist as the NatWest T20 Blast reverts to a block of fixtures. It will begin on July 7 and dominate the next seven weeks of the county season, with teams contesting 14 group matches in a concentrated period in high summer rather than spread over three months as previously.With emphasis turning entirely to T20 as the schools break up, no Championship matches are scheduled for almost four weeks during that period.The success, or otherwise, of the new format, may provide political ammunition in the long-running debate about whether an eight-team city league would be the saviour for an English professional game with combined debts of ￡150m (although the ECB has roughly half that in reserve) or whether it would shrink the game by forcing some counties into irrelevance and bankruptcy.The top four in each of the North and South groups will again qualify for the Blast quarter-finals, which will be played on four consecutive evenings from August 22-25 ahead of Finals Day at Edgbaston on September 2.The Royal London Cup is brought forward to early season, with all the group matches completed before the Champions Trophy in June. A change to the format will see the top two from each group go straight into the semi-finals, with the second- and third-placed teams contesting a pair of play-offs. One outcome that should be widely welcomed is that the Lords final takes place on July 1. ' ' '