MOSCOW -- Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayevas comments on her countrys law against gay "propaganda" seemed as unequivocal as the bar-clearing jump that won her the world championship: She supported the law and derided gays. Tim Howard Jersey . But on Friday, Isinbayeva said that her comments, in somewhat fractured English the day before, may have been misunderstood and that she opposes any discrimination against gays. The clarification -- or U-turn -- underlined the sensitivity of the issue for Russia as international criticism of the law persists and calls continue for a boycott of next Februarys Winter Olympics in the Russian resort of Sochi. The Olympics, like the world championships where Isinbayeva won gold and made her comments, are part of a series of major sports events that Russia hopes will showcase the country as sophisticated and forward-looking. The propaganda law has instead provoked criticism that Russia is retreating from the modern world. Isinbayevas comments were especially dicey for Russias image. Not only is she an internationally popular athlete both for her skills and exuberance, but she is also the "mayor" of one of Sochis two Olympic villages, an honorary but symbolic and visible role. "She is a very recognized figure around the world. And I think she should be thinking of what she is saying," said Nikolai Alexeyev, Russias most prominent gay-rights activist. "I am not surprised that the story is starting to develop and she has to find an excuse for what she said." In a news conference on Thursday, the two-time Olympic gold medallist supported the Russian law and criticized two Swedish competitors for their rainbow-colored fingernails in support of gay rights. "If we allow to promote and do all this stuff on the street, we are very afraid about our nation because we consider ourselves like normal, standard people. We just live with boys with woman, woman with boys," she said. But on Friday, after her comments attracted international attention, Isinbayeva said, "English is not my first language, and I think I may have been misunderstood when I spoke yesterday." "What I wanted to say was that people should respect the laws of other countries, particularly when they are guests. I respect the views of my fellow athletes, and let me state in the strongest terms that I am opposed to any discrimination against gay people," she said in a statement released by local organizers of the championships. The law penalizes anyone who distributes information aimed at persuading minors that "nontraditional" relationships are normal or attractive. It appears that anyone wearing a rainbow flag on the street or writing about gay relationships on Facebook, for instance, could be accused of propagandizing. The law has raised concern about how gay athletes might be treated in Sochi. Russian officials have made contradictory statements about whether the law would be enforced during the games, and the International Olympic Committee has asked for clarification. Foreigners found guilty of violating the law could be imprisoned for 15 days and deported. "The Games themselves should be open to all, free of discrimination, and that applies to spectators, officials, media and of course athletes," Claudia Bokel, chair of the IOCs Athletes Commission, said on her Twitter account. "We would oppose in the strongest terms any move that would jeopardize this principle." Both the law and Isinbayevas first comments appear to have placed other Russian athletes in a quandary -- support for individual rights vs. support for their country. "On the one hand, you have to respect everybodys individuality, the interests of other people. On the other hand, you have to look at the history of each country. Every country has its own traditions," Russian triple jumper Aleksey Fedorov said Friday. Steve Cram, the British runner who won the first 1,500-meter gold medal at the 1983 world championships, competed in the 1980 Moscow Olympics, when many other Western countries refused to go for political reasons. "I dont believe in boycotts," Cram said in Moscow. "I think situations like that should be aired, should be allowed to be aired and spoken about by anyone who wants to. People should be allowed to give their opinions. I dont agree with her opinions. I dont agree with the (Russian law), but thats my personal opinion." Usain Bolt, who won the 100 metres at the world championships and was looking for a second gold medal in the 200, said: "Im always neutral. I dont get into politics. Im all about running. This is what I come here to do, to compete and to inspire the fans, inspire athletes." But he also said: "If you have an opinion on something, if you feel comfortable in talking about it, then shouldnt be a problem." Though Russia decriminalized homosexuality in 1993, antipathy toward gays has been widespread and longstanding in Russia. A survey by the independent Levada Center polling agency released a week after the law was passed found 76 per cent of Russians supported it and 17 per cent opposed it. Although Isinbayevas comments Thursday received wide attention in the West, Russian media gave them little or no attention. The sports newspaper Sport-Express ran a roundup of foreign comment on the issue on its website but not in its print edition. Custom USA Soccer Jerseys . The Cavaliers first-year forward will miss at least three weeks with a strained left knee, the latest setback for the No. Greg Garza Jersey . Others describe it as taking the parrot for a walk. http://www.soccerusafansshop.com/Damarcus-Beasley-Copa-America-Jersey/ . In mens doubles, Vancouvers Vasek Pospisil and American Jack Sock reached the quarter-finals with a 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3), 6-4 win over Croatian Mate Pavic and Andre Sa of Brazil.Hands up if you remember the last trade made by the Blue Jays. I admit, I actually had to look it up. It was back on December 14th when the Jays sent reliever Brad Lincoln to the Phillies for 33-year-old catcher Eric Kratz and 24-year-old lefty reliever Rob Rasmussen. It has been a quiet winter hasnt it? Of course we were spoiled in the off-season a year ago, when Alex Anthopoulos pulled off that monster 12 player deal with the Miami Marlins and then followed up with that seven player swap with the Mets that landed R.A Dickey. Off-seasons like that come along every 10 years or so, if that. Over the weekend I was curious to see, which team had been the Blue Jays most common trade partner. I can tell you it wasnt the Yankees, though they have made 23 deals with the Pinstripes. It wasnt Cleveland either, though the Jays have made 23 swaps with the Tribe. No, the team the Blue Jays have made the most deals with over their 37-year history according the BaseballReference.com is the Oakland As; thirty to be exact. Going over them one-by-one, I could see only one that the Jays outright lost. That one went down on Dec. 8, 1984. The Blue Jays dealt left fielder Dave Collins and shortstop Alfredo Griffin to Oakland for Bill Caudill -- the guy who was supposed to be the closer who would push them over the top. Of course that didnt happen, and by June of 1985 Tom Henke became the ninth inning guy and the Jays did in fact go on to win their 1st division title. Eventually Griffin found his way back to Toronto and as a utility infielder became part of the World Series teams in ‘92 and ‘93. The Jays very first trade with the As came on February 24th of 1977, when their original roster was still being formulated. The Jays dealt infielder Mike Weathers to the As for veteran outfielder/first baseman Ron Fairly, who had played with the Expos in their early years as well. Fairly provided a sense of veteran leadership and class in the Jays clubhouse that 1st year. On July 31, 1993 at the non-waiver trade deadline, Pat Gillick was trying to put together a deal for lefty Randy Johnson to help make a run at a second straight World Series title. When he couldnt get the arm he wanted, Gillick turned around and dealt lefty Steve Karsay and a player to be named later (outfielder Jose Herrrara) to the As for all-time stolen base king Rickey Henderson. Though he turned out to be a rental, Rickey helped ensure a World Series win over the Phillies come October. J.P. Ricciardi pulled off a deal with the As on December 7, 2001 that helped both teams. He sent closer Billy Koch to the West coast for third baseman Eric Hinske and right hander Justin Miller. Hinske became American League rookie of the year in 2002. The Jays made two more deals with Oakland that they clearly won. John Brooks Jersey. On November 18, 2003 they picked up lefty Ted Lilly for outfielder Bobby Kielty, and then on November 18,? 2007 -- exactly years later -- they acquired SS/2B Marco Scutaro from the As for a couple of prospects who never made it in Kristian Bell and Graham Godfrey. The Jays mistake was not keeping Scutaro around longer as he went on to help the Giants win a couple of World Series titles. If you were wondering, the team the Blue Jays have made the fewest deals with is Tampa Bay. Since the Devil Rays/Rays came into the American League, the two teams have only gotten together on three deals and none of them were really memorable. The last was over nine years ago on December 12, 2004 when the Jays sent catcher Kevin Cash to the Rays for right-hander Chad Gaudin. On December 14, 2003, the Jays pulled off a three-way swap with the Rays and Colorado; the Blue Jays getting reliever Justin Speier from the Rockies and sending lefty Mark Hendrickson and Sandy Nin to Tampa Bay, while Colorado received lefty starter Joe Kennedy from the Rays. The only other deal between the Jays and Rays was supposed to improve the Jays pitching depth for a playoff push in 2000. The Jays sent 2B Brent Abernathy to the Rays for lefty reliever Mark Guthrie and right-hander Steve Trachsel. The deal didnt really work out for the Jays as Guthrie went (0-2) with a 4.79 ERA and in 11 starts, the slow-working Trachsel went (2-5) with a 5.29 ERA. Both were gone at the end of the season after the Jays missed the playoffs under Jim Fregosi. To Trachsels credit, he did revive his career over the next six years with the Mets winning 66 games, including 16 in 2003 and 15 in 2006. The Tampa Bay Rays since 2008 have made four playoff appearances and have been to one World Series (2008). On their roster today, they have only four players who were with that team in 2008: Reliever Grant Balfour, who was just re-acquired as a free agent, lefty David Price , star third baseman Evan Longoria and super utilityman Ben Zobrist. The Blue Jays over that same span have only three players who were with them in 2008: Dustin McGowan, who hardly pitched at all do to injuries, Jose Bautista whos been injury plagued the last two seasons, and Adam Lind, coming off a solid season who nevertheless, over the years has been plagued by inconsistency. Technically Casey Janssen has been with the team that long as well, but he missed the entire 2008 season with a torn labrum. A teams core players tell you a lot about the team. Its not hard to see why the Rays have been contenders the last six seasons and the Blue Jays have not. 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