DOHA, Qatar -- IOC President Thomas Bach defended his handling of the Russian doping scandal, attacked critics of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics and claimed no cities would have bid for the 2024 Games without his Agenda 2020 reform program.In a speech to the general assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees on Tuesday, Bach appeared determined to counter the negative public perception surrounding the Olympic movement following a turbulent year of doping crises, the troubled buildup to Rio and continuing concerns over the costs of hosting the games.Bach cited media headlines in the months ahead of the Rio Games about security, water quality, the Zika virus and allegations of state-sponsored doping in Russia. Citing Donald Trumps victory in the U.S. presidential election last week, Bach said the Rio Games were a case study in the difference between published opinion and public opinion and between perception and reality.Bach said the Rio Games were a great success, citing record global television viewership and social media interest, though he made no mention of the empty seats and organizational glitches that also affected the event. Bach said the success of the games was a miracle in light of the severe recession and political turmoil that Brazil has been going through.He also went to great lengths to defend the International Olympic Committees decision not to impose a total ban on Russia from the games, saying he has received support from dozens of world leaders on the issue.The World Anti-Doping Agency had called for the complete ban following a report by investigator Richard McLaren that detailed systematic, state-assisted doping in Russia. The IOC instead allowed international sports federations to decide which Russian athletes could compete.Bach said he has met with many heads of state and government since the games and all backed the IOCs position.They appreciated and acknowledged we did not take a political decision but we took a decision that took in the interest of sport and respected justice for clean athletes and protecting the clean athletes worldwide, he said. To see this acknowledgement and this appreciation by so many political leaders was a confirmation of our decision and is a great encouragement for all of us.McLarens final report is due out next month and will focus on allegations of Russian doping and manipulation of samples at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi. Two IOC commissions are also looking into the allegations, which could lead to calls for sanctions on Russia for the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.Bach said once the investigations and hearings are completed, the IOC will take the necessary measures and all the sanctions because if only part of this would be true, it would be an unprecedented attack on the integrity on the Olympic Games and on the Olympic competitions.On a separate issue, Bach said no cities would have come forward as candidates to host the 2024 Summer Games had the IOC not passed his Olympic Agenda 2020 project, which aims to reduce the cost of hosting the games and insists on maximum use of existing and temporary facilities.Several cities pulled out of bidding for the 2022 Winter Games over financial and political concerns. Last month, Rome withdrew from the 2024 race because of opposition from the citys new mayor. That decision leaves Los Angeles, Paris and Budapest, Hungary, as candidates.Without `Olympic Agenda 2020, we would have had zero candidates, Bach said. There would have been none. All of the candidates who you will see now and the others who were in the race or considering in the race, they can confirm this to you. They told us this.Bach also said that high-ranking Olympic official Patrick Hickey, who was arrested during the Rio Games on ticket scalping charges, deserves the presumption of innocence pending the resolution of his case. Hickey, who is not permitted to leave Brazil, has temporarily stepped down as a member of the IOC executive board and president of the European Olympic Committees.Bach said Hickeys arrest shows Olympic officials are not immune and must obey the laws and rules in other countries.What was in the past something that just concerned us in an organization is now concerning the rules and the laws of a country, Bach said. 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Their 38th instalment is arguably their biggest fight card to date, including three-title fights and a main event which was selected by the fans. The promotion boasts 14-straight years of business and is operated by MFC president Mark Pavelich, who is often overlooked in this country for the foundation hes established for MMA in Canada. The Los Angeles Galaxy have already clinched a spot in the MLS Cup playoffs but need to turn around a recent winless trend if they want to hold onto the third position in the Western Conference and the home playoff match that come with that seeding.That makes Sundays road match against the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium a crucial one for the Galaxy. The Dynamo have been eliminated from the postseason but can certainly put a bee in Los Angeles bonnet with a win in Houstons final home match of the season.Los Angeles (11-6-15, 48 points) has won only two of its last 12 matches (2-3-7) and cannot finish any higher than its current standing. The Galaxy had their winless run stretched to three games on Oct. 1 after dropping a 1-0 road match at FC Dallas that also snapped a string of five consecutive games of having scored multiple goals.Injuries continue to disrupt the Galaxys chemistry. Forward Gyasi Zardes is out with a broken foot, midfielder Steven Gerrard is home in Liverpool, England, rehabbing a hamstring injury and forward Robbie Keanes availability will be determined at game time.Still, Los Angeles has serious bona fides: it has dropped just six matches all season, second only to Colorados five, and forward Giovano Dos Santos is back with the squad after finishing his duties with Mexicos national team.dddddddddddd.Los Angeles coach Bruce Arena argued that he is not concerned with his teams current form or the road ahead.What am I concerned about? Who said I was concerned? Arena told reporters this week. I never said I was concerned. Where we are right now -- were in position to win the MLS Cup. Were in the playoffs.Houston (7-13-12, a Western Conference-low 33 points), which has yet to decide whether interim head coach Wade Barrett will return in 2017, refuses to adopt a role of spoiler in the final stretch, even as it kept Seattle from clinching a playoff spot with a 0-0 draw in the Emerald City on Wednesday.Its been a tough season for us but were still after positive results, Barrett said. We all have a lot to play for and I have a lot to coach for. Part of it is professional pride. You want to step on the field and compete and do well. Were in it for our reasons, not for theirs.The Galaxy have won both previous contests against the Dynamo in 2016, a 4-1 win in Houston in April that was their first ever at BBVA Compass Stadium and a 1-0 victory at home in July. ' ' '