Wir ziehen um! » at his age." A humble Jagr signed a one-

LONDON -- After all the talk of terror threats, corruption, overspending and anti-gay legislation, the head of the Sochi Olympics is determined to show the world the games will be a huge success. Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations. "History will be made," he said of Russias first Winter Games. With Sochi facing threats of terrorist attacks from insurgents from the North Caucasus, Chernyshenko said the city is the "most secure venue at the moment on the planet" and promised that tight security measures will not detract from the atmosphere of the games. "I can assure you that Sochi will be among the most security-friendly games and all the procedures will be very gentle and smooth," he said in a conference call with reporters. Russia is deploying more than 50,000 police and soldiers to guard the Olympics. A Muslim militant group claimed responsibility for back-to-back suicide bombings that killed 34 people in Volgograd in late December and threatened attacks on the games. "You will see thousands of (security) people around but its important to understand that the Olympics is a global event and the security is also a global multi-national event and state authorities are doing (their) utmost to deliver Sochi as safest for everyone," Chernyshenko said. Referring to the Russian law banning gay "propaganda" among minors, he repeated assurances that Russia will not discriminate against anyone at the Olympics on the basis of sexual orientation. However, Chernyshenko appeared to contradict IOC President Thomas Bach, who said Monday that athletes -- prohibited by the Olympic Charter from political demonstrations or gestures on the medal stand and other venues -- would be free to express their personal political views at news conferences. "I dont think they are allowed by charter to express those views that (are) not related to the sport at the press conference room," Chernyshenko said, adding that organizers had set up a protest zone -- or "Speakers Corner" -- in the city. The uproar over the gay law, as well as criticism of Russias human rights record and Vladimir Putins policies, has led a number of Western political leaders to shun the Feb. 7 opening ceremony and the games. Chernyshenko, however, said the number of world leaders attending the ceremony would be "the highest in the history of the Winter Games." He declined to give the number. The Sochi organizing committee said later in an email that heads of state or government from 52 countries would be attending. Russia is spending a record $51 billion on the games, including the long-term infrastructure investment in roads, tunnels, railways and hotels to turn Sochi into a year-round resort. Critics allege that billions of dollars have disappeared in kickbacks and other corrupt deals. Chernyshenko dismissed suggestions that claims of misspending had tainted the games. "If you come and look around, this is the most state-of-the-art sports facilities in the world," he said. "Everything will be the cutting edge. This would not have been possible if these allegations of so-called corruption were true. The stadiums, the roads, the new hotel rooms -- this infrastructure speaks for itself." Ticket sales have also been an issue, with many foreign fans staying away, raising concerns over the prospect of empty seats. Chernyshenko said more than 70 per cent of the tickets have been sold, with 20 per cent set aside for fans to buy on site at box offices. "Its high demand, long queues," he said. "Im quite confident that the stands will be full." Chernyshenko, who comes from Sochi and has worked on the Olympic project for a decade, said he had no regrets despite all the criticism that has been levelled at the games. "Its a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and now Sochi has really become brilliant and a showcase of new Russia," he said, calling it "the role model, the blue print for the rest of the country to follow." Meantime, Chernyshenko said, Sochi has plenty of snow and the three Olympic Villages will open to the athletes on Thursday. "Were fully ready," he said. "Were in a great shape. Everything is in place. The only thing remaining is for the athletes to come and shine at the venues. Everything so far is perfect." Jarome Iginla Jersey . Hamilton signed offensive linemen Mike Filer, Joel Reinders, Landon Rice and Carson Rockhill. Mike Vernon Jersey . - The width of Alec Martinezs shin guard was the difference between the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks in their playoff series opener. http://www.jerseyofficialhockeyflames.com/johnny-gaudreau-hockey-jersey/ .Best moustache: How can we not give this to Lanny McDonald? Check out the duster for yourself. Gary Roberts Jersey . As for regular Olympic spectators, theyre being warned that most travel insurance policies wont cover acts of terrorism or war. The Games in southern Russia, which run from Feb. 7-23, are being staged amid unprecedented security and under global warnings of danger. Craig Conroy Jersey . The Spanish champions decision not to sign a defender during the January transfer window may have backfired after Valencia took advantage of a lethargic, uninspired effort by its hosts at the Camp Nou, where former Spain coach Luis Aragones -- who previously coached the Catalan side -- was honoured after his death on Saturday.NEWARK, N.J. -- Martin Brodeur and Jaromir Jagr are now both 41 years old. They are both headed to the Hockey Hall of Fame when their playing days are finished, and have both faced each other hundreds of times over the last 20-plus NHL seasons. But as the New Jersey Devils officially opened training camp for their veterans Wednesday at the Prudential Center, Brodeur and Jagr now find themselves in a different scenario. Teammates. "Weve always had mutual respect," said Brodeur, beginning his 20th season with the Devils. "Hes one of the best players to ever play the game. Hes as good as it gets. Its like bringing a Wayne Gretzky or a Mario Lemieux to our team. Hes a quality player, still at his age." A humble Jagr signed a one-year contract with New Jersey after the Devils top scorer, Ilya Kovalchuk, retired from the NHL and signed with the KHL in his native Russia. "Im not in that category," said Jagr, who split last season between Dallas and Boston, tallying 16 goals and 19 assists in 45 games. "I just try my best." Jagr will need to be at his best if the Devils are to make up for last season. New Jersey faltered down the stretch, Brodeur was hurt, and the Devils missed the post-season one year after winning the Eastern Conference. "I have played a lot of games against the Devils, no question," said Jagr, who scored his first career NHL goal against New Jersey in 1990 while with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He has also played for, among others, the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers, two key New Jersey rivals. "We were always in the same division. The Devils were always tough to score on, because they had a good defence and Marty in nets. "Its going to be exciting in practice, looking to score on him." Its a different training camp for Brodeur for a lot of reasons. For starters, the team has new ownership, the fourth different group that he has played under. Also, the Devils are trying to shake the stunning move by Kovalchuk, who walked away from the $77 million he had remaining on his contract. And finally, Brodeurs son, Anthony, 18, is in training camp with the team. New Jersey selected him in the seventh round back in June. He, too, is a goaltender. "I wish I could just let him go and I can stop being a dad," Brodeur said. "For me, its going to be a fun camp, just to be able to sit with him and talk to him. His changing stall is rright next to mine.dddddddddddd. I never thought something like this could ever happen. Hes been around this his whole life. "I dont think Im going to get worried about the whole thing." Brodeur admitted that he was stunned by Kovalchuks desire to go back to Russia. "But now I think its over and the organization has dealt with it well," Brodeur said. "They did the right thing to move on. The timing of it was a little bit bad, but it was impressive to see how quickly the organization moved to bring in a lot of new faces. Its going to be an adjustment for everyone. Its going to be interesting to see how all the pieces of the puzzle fit." One of those pieces is Jagr, who spent three years in the KHL before returning in 2011 to play for Philadelphia. He was traded from Dallas to Boston last season, and helped the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Finals though he did not score in the post-season. "Im excited, because I love the game and want to keep playing," said Jagr, who has scored 681 goals during his storied NHL career, and is noted for his off-ice workouts that help him stay young. "I just want to stay healthy and make the people who brought me here happy. I think the three years in Russia helped me appreciate the NHL more. I might not still be playing if I didnt go back to Russia. "Age really doesnt matter to me. As long as Im willing to work hard, thats what keeps me young." Dainius Zubrus, who played just 22 games last season due to injury, is excited to see Jagr, who won two Stanley Cup titles with the Penguins. "Hes still a very good player," said Zubrus, who had a career-low two goals last season. "Honestly, he was working just as hard as I ever saw him last year and was making big plays, scoring big goals. No question, we were all disappointed that we werent in the playoffs. But I think we have a better team that last year. "Were bigger and stronger." Theyll need to be to compete in the NHLs new Metropolitan Division, a grouping that includes the Rangers, Islanders, Flyers and Penguins. "Having size and strength is a big advantage, especially when you get to the playoffs," Jagr said. "I think it will help." The veterans arrived for physicals Wednesday. They will take the ice for the first time Thursday. The rookies and free agents began their training camp on Monday. The Devils open the season at Pittsburgh Oct. 3. 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