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RIO DE JANEIRO -- The quality is so high in the 400 meters right now that Kirani James really isnt comfortable with his defending Olympic champion tag. He doesnt want that target on his back in a hot-shot field like this.The way James sees it, Wayde van Niekerk is the current world champion and LaShawn Merritt won the 2013 world title. So go pick from one of those two for the favorite in Rio de Janeiro. Theres hardly anything to choose between any of them for Sunday nights final.Its gonna be competitive. Really looking forward to it, James said.The one-lap race has turned into an epic three-man rivalry. It could be one of the races of the Olympics and could push one of those guys to the brink of Michael Johnsons 17-year-old world record of 43.18 seconds. Johnsons Olympic record of 43.49 from Atlanta 96 is definitely in the firing line in Brazil.I think that if there was a record to be broken, it would be in a scenario that we have right now, James coach, Harvey Glance, said. Those three guys pushing each other to greatness.Record or no, what you are going to get at the Olympic Stadium is three runners that will take each other, and the rest of the field, to the edge.At the world championships last year, the South African Van Niekerk put a wedge in the rivalry between Grenadas James and American Merritt, who shared the previous five major titles. To do it, Van Niekerk had to run himself into the ground, collapsing on the Beijing track in exhaustion after winning in 43.48 seconds to make him the fourth-fastest 400-meter runner ever.Van Niekerks first act as world champion was to get carted off to hospital on a stretcher, flat out. Thats what it takes in the 400 these days.If I ran any harder I would have probably left on a stretcher, said James, who took bronze.Not wanting to show any weakness in this pack, Van Niekerk shrugged off the stretcher incident as something that was dramatized way more than what actually happened.I mean, Im always exhausted after my races. I just need a moment to sit down and recover, he said.If youre looking for a way to separate the three, Merritt, the oldest at 30 and the 2008 Olympic champion, had the world lead of 43.97 seconds coming in to Rio. He was the only one of them to break 44 seconds in the buildup. But 43.97 seconds doesnt guarantee you anything in this era of the 400.Its definitely one of the tough events right now, Merritt said. Im just excited to be a part of it, to be a part of a great event during a great era. Well probably run fast come this final.This rivalry hasnt erupted with trash talk or anything like that, but its simmering nicely.When we do see each other we do acknowledge each other, James said. We dont hang out and have dinner and breakfast together.Trying to figure out the race tactics doesnt get you any closer to picking a winner, either.Merritt, with the fastest time in the 200 meters this season and chasing a 200-400 Olympic double, has out-and-out sprinting power. Van Niekerk is a more flighty runner but quick, too. The 24-year-old South African is the only man to go under 10 seconds over 100 meters, under 20 over 200 and under 44 for the 400.With James, who is 23, his staying power and easy stride makes him the best finisher, according to coach Glance, whos finding this situation a real challenge for his own skills.Its tough to coach against because youve got three different scenarios that have got to kick in, Glance said. But, one way or another, for 400 meters he (James) gets the job done. And thats the only thing I worry about. I dont worry about 100 meters. I dont worry about 200 meters. I worry about 400 meters.---Follow Gerald Imray on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GeraldImrayAP---Follow the Rio Games: http://www.summergames.ap.org/ Roger Maris Yankees Jersey . During the athletes parade, the 23-strong Ukrainian team was represented by a lone flagbearer in an apparent protest at the presence of Russian troops in Ukraines Crimean peninsula. Mel Stottlemyre Yankees Jersey . -- Ohio States Urban Meyer has never had any issue acclimating to the biggest stages in college football. https://www.cheapyankees.com/3331g-yogi-berra-jersey-yankees.html .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. Wade Boggs Jersey . 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GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Russell Wilson started focusing on the Seattle Seahawks next game minutes after leaving the cold turf at Lambeau Field.He wasnt in the mood about talking about each one of his career-high five interceptions against the Green Bay Packers.Seattles 38-10 loss on Sunday to the Packers was a stunning turn for a team brimming with confidence following a blowout win last week over Carolina.The Seahawks were dominated on both sides of the ball, though Wilsons awful game might have been the most startling disappointment for Seattle.There were just too many in there and we dont have to talk about each play. I just think we have to play better, Wilson said. Obviously, we cant turn the ball over and I put that on me.Well, not entirely.Three interceptions deflected off his receivers hands, including one that also caromed off Doug Baldwins helmet to cornerback Damarious Randall. Seattle gave up six turnovers overall.We knew if we got some turnovers early, wed be all right. We didnt expect six of them, but when you get six, thats a good day, Packers safety Micah Hyde said.Wilson finished 22 of 39 for 240 yards and a touchdown. The Seahawks missed out on a chance to clinch the NFC West following Arizonas loss to Miami earlier Sunday.The thing just snowballed on us and it just turned out to be a terrible night, coach Pete Carroll said.It was certainly cold in Green Bay , though snow had subsided by kickoff. Winds were light. Carroll said footing on the field wasnt an issue, though a couple defenders slipped on key plays.Cornerback Jeremy Lane fell on Davante Adams 66-yard touchdown pass on the games opening drive.Seattle linebacker K.J. Wright slipped on consecutivve plays in the second quarter, and the Packers took advantage each time.dddddddddddd. He was covering Ty Montgomery in the flat on a pass that turned into a 24-yard gain to the Seattle 9. He slipped again on the next play trailing Nelson across the end zone, leaving the receiver open for a touchdown pass and a 21-3 lead with 5:15 left in the first half.We had the right cleats on, it was just terrible, defensive lineman Cliff Avril said about the footing. He said it got worse as the game progressed.The field was covered by a tarp earlier in the day. The Packers, who are used to December snow, didnt seem to have problems with footing.Green Bay gained 330 yards in Seattles first game without former All-Pro safety Earl Thomas , who is out for the season with a broken leg.We just didnt have his hustle out there. Earl has a hustle about him, we just didnt have him, safety Kam Chancellor said.But they still had Wilson, and a team-wide confidence that came with blowing out the Panthers.Instead, Wilson had a game more in line with his four-interception day against Green Bay in the NFC Championship game on Jan. 18, 2015, though that game did end with Wilsons 35-yard touchdown pass in overtime for a 28-22 win.Anytime I turn the ball over, I hate that, Wilson said. So we just want to move on and keep swinging, we have to. Thats the best option for us and thats our focus right now.Seattle has a quick turnaround with a home on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Rams.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '