They smiled, they waved, they danced, they took selfies and front and centre was Australian cycling legend Anna Meares.Australias Olympic team made a rousing entrance at the opening ceremony, with the beaming two-time gold medallist leading the way.Dressed stylishly in pin-striped blazers, the contingent of 100 or so athletes and officials soaked in every moment in a slow lap around the Maracana stadium.The majority of Australias 421-strong team were back in the Olympic Village, resting ahead of early competition.But that mattered little to those able to take part.Meares said leading the Australian team was an amazing experience.Coming through the tunnel I could see the lights and the colour and the crowd and then the team did an `Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Meares told AAP.I just turned to Kitty (Chiller) and said thank you.Australias Olympic team tweeted it was the ultimate honour (for the) ultimate champion.While tennis star Daria Gavrilova described the march as the best experience ever.They were among an impressive group of Australian women who took part, including London 2012 silver medallist in canoe slalom, Jessica Fox and Beijing bronze medal diver Melissa Wu.Among the Aussie men, basketballer Cameron Bairstow simply tweeted a picture with his arms spread wide and Rugby Sevens captain Ed Jenkins described it as an incredible experience.Memories for a lifetime, he said.The march of athletes came mid-way through the spectacular ceremony driven by a pulsating Samba beat, that invited the world to join the party.Low-tech in comparison to London and Beijing it no-less delighted the 50,000 strong crowd who swayed to its infectious vibe.A similar beat also backed another rowdy group of Australian athletes who had their own unofficial march earlier on Friday, taking to Ipanema Beach in their official uniforms where they attracted a crowd of appreciate locals.Weve just got a 15-minute window to come out and wear the uniform on opening ceremony night, road cyclist Rachel Neylan said.Rio are really putting on a show so far.Rower Will Lockwood said it was fantastic to get out and see some of the city.Its such a good vibe, just Rio turning it on along the beach, its been awesome, he said. Custom New York Mets Jerseys . -- There were a lot of firsts for the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. New York Mets Pro Shop . McCarthy, a player who played some games in the second tier for Wigan at the start of this season, would go on to shine inside Evertons midfield, outplaying the man he was brought in to replace, on one of the grandest stages in English football. On Saturday, it was fitting that Manchester Uniteds most recent dagger into the chest was delivered by Frenchman Yohan Cabaye, a wonderfully gifted central midfielder who put on an outstanding effort for Newcastle at Old Trafford. https://www.cheapmetsjerseys.us/ . -- Anaheim Ducks captain and leading scorer Ryan Getzlaf has been scratched from Sunday nights game against the Vancouver Canucks because of an upper-body injury. Mets Jerseys China . Carey Price didnt, but he still came out on top against one of his rivals for the No. 1 job at the Sochi Games. The Anahim Lake, B.C., native was stellar in making 39 saves in his home province and Lars Eller got credit for a bizarre short-handed winner as the Canadiens defeated the Canucks 4-1. New York Mets Store .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Some of Dennis Byrds former New York Jets teammates believe he may have suffered from CTE, and at least two of them have suggested to his widow that she donate his brain to the Boston University clinic that studies the brain disease.Byrd, 50, was killed Saturday in a two-car collision about 30 miles outside Tulsa, Oklahoma. His football career ended in 1992, when he was temporarily paralyzed due to a broken neck.For years, Byrds former teammates had expressed concern about his behavior. He became detached from his closest friends on the team, not returning calls or messages. They also became aware of strife in his personal life.We were talking to (his wife) Angie, and we think it would be a good idea to have his brain donated, former teammate Marvin Washington said Monday in a phone interview. To me, it seems like a classic case of CTE, with the mood swings and behavioral issues.That wasnt the Dennis I know and loved; it was the disease he had. Im just trying to connect the dots. If you look back at Dave Duerson and Junior Seau, those were good guys, too, but they were human on and off the field.Another former teammate, Jeff Lageman, also suspected CTE.Its entered my mind because of how detached he became, Lageman said by phone. But I also know that was Dennis anyway. Even in the early years, he isolated a little. Later on, he definitely got to the farther end of it.Is (CTE) possible? Yeah, maybe its possible, he added. But I dont know.Byrds wife, Angela, couldnt be reached for comment.Drafted in 1989, Byrd played the defensive line for three-plus seasons in the NFL. On Nov. 29, 1992, he collided with teammate Scott Mersereau while trying to sack Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Dave Krieg.Byrd suffered significant damage to his upper spine, but he regained the ability to walk -- albeit with a pronounced limp -- and he became an inspirational story. After a few years in the limelight -- he was a motivational speaker and a color analyst for CBS -- he retreated to a quiet life in his native Oklahoma.Aside from an emotional speech to the Jets on the eve of a playoff win in January 2011, and an appearance at MetLife Stadium in 2012 to have his number retired, Byrd lost touch with the organization.ddddddddddddTeammates expressed frustration over the years because they couldnt reach him. The frustration turned to concern.I dont want to take away from who Dennis Byrd was -- he was a light, he was good energy -- but players go through things, said Washington, who played 11 years and plans to donate his brain to research. Whatever struggles he was going through, Id like to connect the dots.On Saturday, Byrd was pronounced dead at the scene due to massive injuries. A 17-year-old from Claremore, Oklahoma, was driving a 2000 Ford Explorer northbound on Oklahoma 88 and veered into the oncoming lane, striking the Hummer H2 driven by Byrd, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.Byrd was accompanied by his 12-year-old, Zach, who underwent surgery to repair a broken leg, according to family friends. Despite their detachment from Byrd, his former teammates were overcome with shock and sadness upon hearing the news.The best way to describe Dennis is, if he could come back and talk to one person, hed want to talk to that 17-year-old, Lageman said. Hed tell (the other drive) that hes not angry and that, Hey, its OK. Thats the greatest statement anyone could say about Dennis.His first concern would be his son, his second would be his family, making sure theyre OK. His next concern would be for that young person. That tells you what type of person he was.Washington added, If it comes out that he had CTE, why? Why? He was such a good person. ... To die this way, after what happened in 1992, he didnt deserve this. He deserved a full life. Its not for me to question it, but Im questioning it. Dennis was one of the good guys. To be taken like that, it actually pisses me off. Its sad and its frustrating and Im angry.The Jets are formulating plans to honor Byrds memory during the home game Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. ' ' '