WASHINGTON -- If Stephen Harper or Barack Obama plan to do any Olympics-watching next February, theyll be staring at a screen and not from the stands. The Canadian and American leaders both announced Wednesday that they will not be attending the Games, prompting speculation of an international snub over Russias gay-rights record. Harpers office announced the news discreetly, in a late-evening email. The message from the Prime Ministers Office noted that Harper has gone to only one Olympics since he took office, and that lone exception was for obvious reasons. "He normally does not attend (Vancouver was an exception because Canada was the host)," a prime ministerial spokesman said in an email. That news came several hours after the United States delivered a more conspicuous message. For the first time since 2000, the U.S. will not send a president, former president, first lady or vice-president to the Games. Also, the small U.S. delegation for the opening and closing ceremonies will include two openly gay athletes. Those athletes, tennis legend Billie Jean King and hockey player Caitlin Cahow, will be joined by figure skater Brian Boitano, former cabinet secretary Janet Napolitano, a presidential advisor, and the U.S. ambassador to Russia. An Obama spokesman was asked at the daily White House press briefing whether the delegation was intended to make a political point. While he said such a message would not be sent "through this manner," his response also repeatedly referred to "diversity" -- a word Obamas spokesman mentioned seven times in his answers. "This delegation represents the diversity that is the United States," said presidential spokesman Jay Carney. "Every member of that delegation is extremely accomplished, either in government service or in civic activism or, most especially, in sports. So hes very proud of the delegation and the diversity it represents. And he looks forward, as every American does, to the competition and to the effort that American athletes will demonstrate when they compete in Sochi." Obamas spokespeople said his schedule would not allow him to attend. However, Carney also added that the president has been clear that he "finds it offensive, the anti-LGBT legislation in Russia," as well as the harassment caused to those who protest corruption there. Russia has come under fierce criticism for passing national laws banning "gay propaganda." For its part, the Canadian government said its delegation choices will be announced soon. When asked whether they should be interpreted as carrying a human-rights message, Harper spokesman Jason MacDonald replied: "No. Were not in a position to comment on who our representatives will be." France and Germany are among the other countries who will not send their presidents to Sochi for the Games. Earlier this month, IOC President Thomas Bach said Russia would set up public protest zones in Sochi for "people who want to express their opinion or want to demonstrate for or against something." Meanwhile, the IOC approved a letter going out to athletes reminding them to refrain from protests or political gestures during the Sochi Games -- reiterating Rule 50 of the Olympic charter, which forbids demonstrations on Olympic grounds. Bach had previously said hed received assurances from Russian President Vladimir Putin that gays will not be discriminated against in Sochi. On Thursday, Putin reiterated those assurances, saying it is Russias responsibility as host of the Games to ensure equal conditions for all the athletes. "The main thing for us is the good organization of these competitions, the creation of equal terms for all athletes," he told a Moscow news conference. But the Russian law has raised questions about what could happen to athletes who wear pins or badges or carry flags supporting gay rights. The U.S. Olympic Committee made no comment about the sexual orientation of the delegation Wednesday. In a nod to its disapproval of the law, however, the USOC recently revised its non-discrimination policy to include sexual orientation. Earlier this year, Obama rejected the idea of a U.S. boycott of the Olympics despite a number of differences with Russia, including the anti-gay law. Wednesdays announcement, however, represented an unmistakable break with recent precedent: In Vancouver, Vice-President Joe Biden led the delegation, and in 2012, first lady Michelle Obama held the honour. The announcement prompted an enthusiastic response from the Human Rights Campaign, which recently sent a letter urging Obama to include gays and lesbians in the U.S. delegation. "Its a positive sign to see openly gay representatives in the delegation," said spokesman Michael Cole-Schwartz. "Hopefully it sends a message to the Russian people and the rest of the world that the United States values the civil and human rights of LGBT people." King made an explicit point about human rights Wednesday, saying she was "deeply honoured" to be named to the delegation. "I am equally proud to stand with the members of the LGBT community in support of all athletes who will be competing in Sochi and I hope these Olympic Games will indeed be a watershed moment for the universal acceptance of all people," she said. King, who won Wimbledon 20 times in singles and doubles categories, will attend the opening ceremony. Cheap 49ers Jerseys China . James Jones got his turn Sunday. And the lift he brought, combined with the expected playoff showings from LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, have the Heat off and running in these playoffs. 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BARCELONA, Spain -- Cristiano Ronaldo scored two long-range goals to help Real Madrid rout Osasuna 4-0 on Saturday and stay in the Spanish league title chase while resting several first-choice players for its European clash at Bayern Munich. With Gareth Bale recovering from the flu and Karim Benzema on the bench, all of Madrids attack went through Ronaldo on the left flank. And the Ballon dOr winner didnt disappoint by unleashing two similar blasts after cutting inside to put the ball on his right boot and lift his league-leading tally to 30 goals through 35 rounds. Madrid provisionally closed to within three points of leader Atletico Madrid before it visits Valencia on Sunday, when Barcelona, one point behind Madrid, hosts Villarreal. Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti also gave valuable rest to defender Pepe and midfielder Xavi Alonso to prepare for its visit to Bayern on Tuesday in the second leg of their Champions League semifinal. Madrid won the first leg 1-0. "Everything he tried turned out well for us," Ancelotti said about Ronaldo. "We could rest some players and played a good game, even if it wasnt a very intense one." Elsewhere, Getafes 1-0 win over Malaga condemned last-place Real Betis to relegation even before it fell 1-0 at home to Real Sociedad, while Rayo Vallecano scored three times in the second half for a 3-0 win at 10-man Granada. Osasuna lined up to provide Madrid a guard of honour before the match as the hosts paraded their recently won Copa del Rey trophy at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Ronaldo then went to work chalking up his 29th league goal in the sixth minute when he unleashed a trademark blast from outside the area that took a slight deflection off defender Damia Abella before falling just inside the far upright. He looked to get his teammates involved, and set up scoring chances for Sergio Ramos, Marcelo and Alvaro Morata. But it fell to Ronaldo to start the seconnd half as he had the first, with Osasunas outclassed defence letting him again dribble to near the elbow of the area before he launched a shot into the top corner of the net in the 52nd.dddddddddddd "Both goals came at the start of each half and that complicated things for us," Osasuna coach Javi Gracia said. "They are both more merit of Ronaldo than my defences fault. Its true Damia touches the first strike and that gives it an effect, but the second shot is unstoppable." Sergio Ramos headed in a third goal in the 60th and Ronaldo went to the bench seconds later to an ovation from the crowd. Dani Carvajal headed home Isco Alarcons lobbed pass to cap the lopsided victory in the 83rd. Osasuna, which lost Raoul Loe and Emiliano Armenteros to injuries, remained three points above the relegation zone along with Getafe. Forward Adrian Colunga scored what proved to be the winner seven minutes into the game at Getafe from a pass by Ciprian Marica, who left his side a man down from the 37th for a second yellow card. But Malaga couldnt take advantage of the extra man and itself lost a player when Marcos Angeleri was sent off for a second booking in the 76th. "This victory is huge," Getafe coach Cosmin Contra said. "You saw team spirit today. We are still alive." Sociedad added to Betis misery by winning thanks to Carlo Velas 54th-minute penalty kick after Juan Carlos Perez fouled him in the area. Sociedad strengthen its hold on sixth place and cemented its Europa League berth for next season. Rayo rose into ninth place with only one loss in its last 10 matches. Rayo held Granada in check in the first half before Yacine Brahimis dismissal for a second yellow card in the 51st turned the match in the visitors favour. All the matches observed a minute of silence before kickoff for Barcelonas former coach, Tito Vilanova, who died on Friday after a battle with cancer. 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