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Alexandre Bilodeau captured Canadas first gold medal at the 2010 Olympics, while Charles Hamelin was the Canadian teams only multi gold medallist in Vancouver. Erik Guay narrowly missed the Olympic podium four years ago, but hes Canadas most decorated World Cup alpine skier. The next honour one of them could add to an already illustrious career is Canadas flag-bearer for the Sochi Olympics. On Thursday in Ottawa, the Canadian Olympic Committee will announce who will carry the Maple Leaf into the Sochi opening ceremonies, and Bilodeau, Hamelin and Guay, all leaders in their respective sports, are all strong candidates. "Just being among those, its a great honour for me because those are great athletes and there are many more athletes that deserve to carry the flag and deserve to be in the front row when it comes to Canada and to be role models," Bilodeau told The Canadian Press in Montreal on Wednesday. "It would be a tremendous honour to do that for my country and well see (Thursday), but its definitely something very special to be flag-bearer and whomever its going to be, were going to be proud." When asked if hed been tipped to be in Ottawa, Bilodeau laughed and said "I havent been contacted yet, so if its already decided, Im not the one." Bilodeau won moguls gold on the second day of the Games, and the image of the freestyle skier celebrating with his brother Frederic is one of the most enduring of Vancouver. Hamelin claimed two of Canadas record-setting 14 gold medals, but even more remarkable is the fact the short-track speedskater, whos also an eight-time world champion, won them within half an hour of each other, winning the 500 metres before returning to the track as part of the victorious 5,000-metre relay. Guay posted a pair of fifth-place finishes in Vancouver, in the downhill and super-G, missing a medal in super-G by just three hundredths of a second. In December, he won his 21st World Cup medal, breaking the Canadian record for podium performances held by Steve Podborski. Guay will be in Kitzbuehel, Austria, on Thursday, where hes racing in a World Cup. Canadas flag-bearer traditionally generates plenty of conversation, and this time is no different, with Canadian hockey stars Sidney Crosby and Hayley Wickenheiser garnering much support. Crosby, who created one of Vancouvers golden moments when he scored the winner in the final versus the U.S., isnt expected to be in Sochi for the opening ceremonies as his Pittsburgh Penguins have a game that night versus the New York Rangers. While Bruins defenceman Zdeno Chara is missing two of Bostons NHL games to carry the flag for Slovakia, when asked about the possibility of carrying Canadas flag, Crosby said last weekend "It hasnt been brought up (by the Canadian Olympic Committee)." Wickenheiser, meanwhile, is Canadas biggest womens star and a pioneer of the game who will make her fifth Olympic appearance. According to Hockey Canada, the womens team will march in the Feb. 7 opening ceremonies, despite playing their opening game the following night versus Switzerland. Wickenheiser, however, was a participant in the 2010 opening ceremonies -- she read the athletes oath. Plus, womens hockey player Danielle Goyette carried the flag into the opening ceremonies in 2006 in Turin, Italy. Long-track speedskater Clara Hughes carried the flag in the 2010 opening ceremonies while figure skater Joannie Rochette, who captured bronze just days after the death of her mom, was chosen to carry it out. Other favourites for Sochi include figure skaters Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, who won Canadas first ice dance gold medal in Vancouver, and three-time world champion Patrick Chan. With the new team event starting the day before the opening ceremonies, however, Virtue and Moir have said they wont march. Two-time world champion Kaillie Humphries, who teamed up with Heather Moyse in Vancouver to win Canadas first ever womens bobsled medal, is another favourite. She and Moyse will be gunning for gold again in Sochi. And long-track speedskater Christine Nesbitt also won gold in Vancouver, and is a seven-time world champion and has won a whopping 39 World Cup titles. Theres a Facebook pace supporting skier Larisa Yurkiw for flag-bearer that has over 3,500 likes. Yurkiw missed the Vancouver Games after suffering a bad knee injury in 2009, and then was forced to go pounding on doors for financial support after she was cut from the national team program. Yurkiw bounced back to qualify for Canadas Sochi-bound team. Each sport nominates an athlete as a candidate for flag-bearer. But some athletes see the responsibility as a distraction. Diver Alexandre Despatie told reporters before the 2012 London Games that he would decline any offer to carry the flag. "Its a great distraction, although it is the greatest honour an athlete can receive," the two-time Olympic silver medallist said. Moguls skier Jean-Luc Brassard finished fourth at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, and blamed his disappointing performance on the fact hed carried the flag a day earlier. Among other recent flag-bearers named recently: Japan selected womens curler Ayumi Ogasawara, Italy chose two-time Olympic mens luge champion Armin Zoeggeler, and Spain will hand its flag to figure skater Javier Fernandez. Tienda Real Madrid Online . Theres little time for rest, too. The Flyers and Rangers play again Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden. Simmonds scored in the first period and twice more in the second for his first career post-season hat trick. Mason survived a busy first period and stopping 31 straight shots until Carl Hagelin scored late in the third. Camiseta Real Madrid Niño . The 24-year-old right winger has one assist in nine games this season with the Sabres. In his career, he has three goals and six assists in 43 NHL games. http://www.nuevacamisetadelrealmadrid.co...ramos-nino.html. He will just have to wait a little longer. Bester grabbed an early lead before Scotlands Darren Burnett took over and ran away with the mens singles lawn bowling final 21-9 on Friday. Camiseta Karim Benzema . The Toronto Blue Jays general manager made a series of bold moves that reshaped the club ahead of what would turn out to be a disastrous 2013 campaign. Camiseta Real Madrid 19/20 . Seager had another triple, a home run and a double in a rare feat not seen in more than 40 years, leading Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners past the New York Yankees 10-2. "It was a weird play," Seager said of the triple in the fourth inning.As the sun sets on another dramatic La Liga campaign, Sky Sports Spanish expert Guillem Balague hands out his season awards. Barcelona claimed their 24th title with a 3-0 win at Granada on Saturday, pipping Real Madrid by one point, while Atletico Madrid and Villarreal made up the top four.But in Balagues eyes, who was the best player in the league, who is most-improved, and which team has flopped? Best player - Luis SuarezNot only for the 40 goals this season, but for the fact he turned up during Barcelonas worst time. There were doubts around the club in late March, early April; physically they were not at their sharpest, the football they created was not causing much danger, and they actually lost three out of four La Liga games. In the last five games he scored 14 goals, and has also provided four assists. Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick at Granada as Barcelona won the La Liga title for the second successive season While Barcelona have been struggling to create the football the club is used to, Suarez has helped them get the points needed.This is a season where weve seen a different Lionel Messi, one that has dropped deeper and obviously helped Luis Suarez. He definitely was another big reason, along with Suarez, as to why Barcas season got back on track.Most-improved player - Antoine GriezmannThis was a year that consolidated what he had been building up to. Last season he didnt have a guaranteed place in the line-up, but hes the first name on the team sheet now. Antoine Griezmann has been on fine form for Atletico Madrid this season He has done it in a way that keeps in line with Diego Simeones philosophy; he works hard without the ball, and with it he has been key in breaking up defences. He is on the verge of being in the top five players in the world.Hes negotiating a new contract with Atletico Madrid, and although he has left the door open to other offers, I think his intention is to stay.Most-improved team - Celta Vigo and EibarThere are two; Eibar, who finished 14th with the help of Borja Baston, the striker on loan from Atletico Madrid, who scored 18 goals. Suarez is Barcas MVP Luis Suarez was Barcelonas most valuable player in their title-winning campaign, says David Moyes. But I would also give it to Celta, who managed to jump up the table by nine points, still with wonderful football. Eduardo Berizzo has been able to keep the team competitive despite losing Michael Krohn-Dehli in the summer to Sevilla and Augusto Fernandez to Atletico Madrid in January, as well as the injury to Nolito.Best game - Real Madrid 0-4 Barcelona, November 21It has to be the Clasico at the Bernabeu. It was the return of Messi after two months injured, while Neymar and Suarez had been scoring the goals for Barcelona in that period. Suarez scored two, Andres Iniesta was probably the best player on the park, and Barca played so well that Real managed only one shot on goal in the first half, as well as keeping Cristiano Ronaldo quiet. Barcelona players celebrate after beating Real Madrid 4-0 in El Clasico I said after the game that these kinds of defeats have consequences, and as we saw, Rafa Benitez never recovered, and it was only a matter of timme before Florentino Perez looked elsewhere.ddddddddddddBest goal - Alvaro Cejudo, Real Betis 1-1 Real Madrid, January 24It has to be Cejudo. Its a nice build-up, and as the ball arrives to him, he manages to shoot in an awkward way and beat Keylor Navas, one of the best goalkeepers in the world with a wonderful strike. Our pick of the best goals of the season from La Liga. Which one gets your vote? Moment of the season - Deportivo 0-8 Barcelona, April 20Barcelona had just lost three of their last four games in the league, before going to Deportivo and winning 8-0. Luis Enrique has not rotated very well this season, the defeats came around the international break and he never trusted his bench.They would play the same 12, 13 players, but with Real Madrid and Atletico making life difficult for them, Luis Enrique trusted his favourite players and Barcelona came out and managed to get a superb result when they needed it. It was a message for La Liga. But I feel that next year, to avoid the same drop at the end of the season, Luis Enrique will have to return to more rotation and a few signings that will make the bench stronger.Flops of the season - Valencia and James RodriguezAs a team, Valencia. They have come from having 77 points, their joint-highest tally ever, to 44 points, the worst in 30 years. James Rodriguez has had to settle for the bench on occasions this term As a player, James Rodriguez. He has not accepted the fact he has to fight from the bench, his physical condition has not been perfect, and he is not strong enough mentally for Real Madrid. The club want to get rid of him now.Best XI of the season(4-3-3): Jan Oblak; Mario Gaspar, Diego Godin, Pepe, Marcelo; Andres Iniesta, Bruno Soriano, Antoine Griezmann; Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Cristiano Ronaldo Six Real Madrid and Barcelona players make Balagues team of the season Manager of the season - MarcelinoFor a man who started his career as manager at Villarreal with a 5-0 thumping away to Real Madrid reserves in a second division match in January 2013, his progress since then has been nothing short of remarkable.Just five months later, the Submarine were back in the top flight, and in their first season back they finished high enough to gain a place in the Europa League. Villarreal manager Marcelino has improved the side this season, qualifying for the Champions League Despite falling just short of a Europa League final place after a defeat by Liverpool this season, Marcelino can console himself with the thought that his side have done enough to secure fourth place and a spot in the Champions league play-off round. It is also worth noting that Villarreal have never finished lower than sixth in the table since gaining promotion under the guidance of the canny Asturian tactician.It was disappointing how they performed at Anfield, but Marcelino has maintained a good level of performance throughout the season, and has improved on last season. Also See: Suarez fires Barca to title Suarez is Barcas MVP Fifty up for Ronaldo Getafe and Rayo relegated ' ' '