The most challenging days in the world of sports are those where cold, hard reality intrudes on the fantasy world of games and play. And so it was last Apr. 15 when, while preparing to host the Monday edition of TSN Drive, the mood of that day suddenly turned dark. The Boston Marathon had been bombed. A great number of people had been injured and some had been killed. No one knew whod done it, what their motive was or what else they might have in mind. North Americans arent blind to the possibilities of terrorism, certainly not since Sept. 11, 2001. But the notion of a being maimed or killed by attending a sporting event is about as remote to our sense vulnerability as can be. That sense may in fact be the very reason the perpetrators chose the marathon, an iconic event, a symbol of spring, and something attended by people from various walks of life which attracts an international field and audience. Bomb the Boston Marathon and the message is that anything can be a target, or so those behind it surely hoped. My co-host that day one year ago was Bruce Arthur, with whom I met 30 minutes before air time to discuss that days show. We instantly agreed it felt wrong to open the program talking sports. Instead wed talk about what was unfolding in Boston for the first 30 minutes, follow the breaking news and then reassess. When we got to the bottom of the clock in that first hour, neither of us had the stomach to talk sports. It just felt wrong. And so we stuck to the matters at hand in Boston, believing our listeners understood that sports could wait for at least a day. Everyone knows what happened next. Boston became city in lock-down, sports events were cancelled, a security guard was killed, and eventually two suspects were captured, one of them dead and the other severely wounded. And in the days that followed, the question of societal response began to emerge: How would North Americans react, understanding that this type of thing wasnt restricted to marathons and could happen at any sort of large public gathering? And since the world of sports has more large public gatherings than any other business, how would it affect ballparks, arenas and stadiums? How would this change the experience of attending a sporting event? There was the predictable response from leagues, with enhanced security measures at most venues which, depending on your point of view, is either a good thing or the further erosion of the carefree lives we used to enjoy. But any sense that the Boston bombing had somehow altered the experience of attending a sporting event in North America, that people would reconsider gathering in public to cheer on their favourite teams? That proved to be a complete myth. No, the sports world is pretty much exactly as it was before the Boston bombing. And thats significant because the most meaningful thing about sports isnt who wins or who loses or who gets paid the most money. Its the manner in which spectator sports are about sharing common experiences with others, producing a sense of oneness that few other things can deliver. Sport in a vacuum is just an empty spectacle of athletic achievement. But surround it with people who have a common perspective and it takes on its own energy and meaning, becoming as much an expression of community and culture as anything else. Thats what we saw in Boston during the weeks and months that followed the bombing, with the Bruins and then the Red Sox as symbols of the citys communal spirit. Lets be clear: a professional sports team winning in the aftermath of a tragedy doesnt make anything better, doesnt heal the wounded or bring back the dead. What it does, however, is give people a way to express their resolve and creates a sense of normalcy in what can be very troubling times. The two men who bombed the marathon sought not just to cause death and destruction but also to affect way people live their lives. In less than a week, the 2014 Boston Marathon will take place with people from Massachusetts and around the world gathering to participate. Some will be running but many, many more will be lining the streets just to be present. Not because theyve forgotten what occurred one year ago, but because they remember it. Replica Soccer Jerseys . A police inspector told The Associated Press the crane operator is not yet suspected of any wrongdoing but is considered a key witness to the accident at the Arena Corinthians. Fake Soccer Jerseys . The 23-year-old Woods, Tiger Woods niece, closed with a 4-under 69 at Royal Pines to finish at 16-under 276. Lee also shot 69 in the event sanctioned by the European and Australian tours. Woods birdied the par-5 15th to open a two-stroke lead, hitting a wedge from about 120 yards to 4 feet. https://www.soccerjerseyschina.us/ . That assertion is getting harder and harder to make, especially given the way 23-year-old Danilo Gallinari has been playing this season. Soccer Jerseys China . -- The Minnesota Vikings have signed Jerome Simpson, the former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver recently convicted on a felony drug charge. Stitched Soccer Jerseys .com) - Bayern Munich winger Xherdan Shaqiri is expected to miss the next two weeks because of a thigh injury.The 2014 NBA Draft will be a historic one for Canadian basketball, with as many as seven players from Canada - three of them as high as the first round - possibly selected. In the days leading up to the draft, TSN.ca and TSN Radio basketball analyst Duane Watson looks at some of the names that will be headlining the event. Tonight, Michigans Nik Stauskas of Mississauga, Ontario. Watch the 2014 NBA Draft on TSN, Thursday at 7pm et/4pm pt. Name: Nik Stauskas From: Mississauga, Ontario Played: University of Michigan Height: 66 Weight: 207 Position: Shooting Guard 2013-2014 Stats: 17.5 points, .442 3P%, 3.3 assists Breakout Game: 26 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds in win vs. Iowa Jan 22nd. Accolades: 2013 - 14 Big 10 Player of the Year, Second team All-American Draft Projection: Middle of first round Comparable NBA player: Tim Hardaway, Jr. Nik Stauskas has become the poster boy for “hard work pays off.” After a solid freshman season, helping the Wolverines to compete in the NCAA championship game, two key teammates in Trey Burke (Naismith Player of the Year) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (NBA All-Rookie First Team) moved on to the pros. In only his sophomore year, Stauskas was expected to be a team leader, so he spent his summer adding muscle mass, working on his lateral quickness and creating his own shot off the dribble. Stauskass YouTube videos offer a glimpse into his incredible work ethic and the results of his second year were apparent;; a Big 10 title and trip to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament for the Wolverines, while leading the team in scoring and assists and named Big 10 Player of the Year.dddddddddddd Stauskass greatest skill is his ability to flat-out shoot the ball. Unquestionably the best shooter in the draft with a quick release, Stauskas has little issue getting his shot off. His playmaking has improved and he can facilitate for others off of the pick-and-roll, forcing defenders to play him honestly. His quickness allows him to beat slower defenders off the dribble, rounding out his offensive game to be more than simply a spot-up shooter. On the defensive end, Stauskas needs some work, particularly with strength and quickness defending at the next level. Not a surprising drawback to elite shooters, but not one that cant be compensated for in team defences. Stauskas refuses to back down and that refusal to lose is one of those intangibles sought in any NBA prospect. When told that he would only be a shooter, Stauskas rounded out his game. When told that he couldnt carry a team, he led them deep into the NCAA Tournament. Steps to improve his defensive game are already underway, as any obstacle that is put in front of Stauskas has been overcome. His drive, coupled with his confidence, make it difficult to overlook a player with the aptitude and skills he possesses. Stauskas will continue to work and hone his game as he continues to prove that hard work pays off. ' ' '