In Ibtihaj Muhammad, fencing might have finally found an athlete whose story transcends the sport.Muhammad will make history at the Rio Games by becoming the first American athlete to wear a hijab -- a Muslim head scarf -- while competing in the Olympics.Muhammads Olympic goal -- beyond winning a medal, of course -- is to be a positive role model for the Muslim-American community.Ive been in this sport for a pretty long time -- at this point I feel like Ive kind of created a name for myself. If anything, I think the wonderful thing is that now these young kids, they see Muslim women involved in sports. So its not an anomaly anymore, Muhammad said at the Team USA media summit Los Angeles in March.But Muhammad is hardly the only American poised for a breakout in Rio.The U.S. might be as strong as its ever been ahead of an Olympics -- and the fact that this years Games will be broadcast live in the Eastern time zone should only help fencings growth domestically.The Americans and Russians caught some bad luck because two of their top teams -- mens sabre and womens foil -- wont compete in Rio because the IOC only has room for 10 of the sports 12 divisions during the Olympics. But those athletes will still compete as individuals.Here are some of the key story lines to follow during this years Olympic fencing tournament.---U.S. ON THE RISEThe U.S. and Italy have three teams ranked in the top three in their weapon in the most recent FIE rankings, trailing only Russias five.The Americans havent won a gold medal in mens Olympic fencing since Albertson Van Zo Post in 1904. But Alexander Massialas, the son of former national team coach Greg Massialas, is ranked No. 1 in the world in mens foil. Gerek Meinhardt and Race Imboden -- whos also a fashion model -- also owned top-seven spots in that weapon.Daryl Homer and Eli Dershwitz are ranked 10th and 12th in mens sabre, well within striking distance of a medal.Two-time Olympic gold medalist Mariel Zagunis is a medal favorite in womens sabre, and Muhammad (eighth, sabre) might be peaking just when she needs to. Lee Kiefer took a year off from her studies at Notre Dame to focus on Rio, and shes ranked third in foil.---RETURNING STARArianna Errigo is the new face of Italian fencing after Valentina Vezzali, a six-time Olympic champion, failed to qualify for Rio.Errigo, who lost to teammate Elisa Di Francisca 12-11 in the gold medal match in London, went on to win world championships in 2013-14 and is currently ranked No. 1 in foil. Errigos 270 points earned so far in 2016 are the most of any individual fencer.Sophia Velikaya of Russia (sabre) was also a runner-up in London who has since ascended atop the world rankings, one spot ahead of Zagunis.Top-ranked Anqi Xu of China will seek her first world championship in epee.---OLYMPIAN EFFORTRuben Limardo, Venezuelas flag bearer for Rio, will be asked to bear the weight of a continents worth of pressure as South Americas best hope for a fencing medal. But the favorite in Limardos weapon, Gauthier Grumier, has led France to five team epee world titles and is desperate to claim Olympic gold as an individual.Japans Yuki Ota and James Andrew-Davis of Great Britain are the biggest threats the U.S. will likely face in foil.Russias Alexey Yakimenko is ranked No. 1 in sabre on the strength of a strong end to 2015. But South Koreas Kim Jung-hwan recently won a Grand Prix in Moscow and looks primed for a run at gold in Rio.---RULE CHANGESThe biggest change fans will noticed from London in 2012 to Rio is the shift in the piste, or fighting strip, from parallel to angled.The venue in London only allowed fans to view from two sides of the arena. But with seats circling all of Carioca Arena 3, spectators should have a much clearer and more dimensional view of the matches. There will also be a family-friendly area just outside the venue, where passers-by will be able to grab a weapon and give fencing a try free of charge. Coaches will be on hand to provide instructions, and safety equipment will be provided. Cheap Ecco Shoes Online . Two pressure cooker bombs exploded near the finish line of the April 15 race in an area packed with fans cheering the passing runners. Three people were killed and more than 260 injured, including at least 16 who lost limbs. Discount Ecco Shoes . Speaking Thursday on TSN 1050 Thursday, the Leafs GM also touched on the questions surrounding the teams leadership and the struggles of his big-name free-agent signing. “Its not from lack of effort from the coaching staff. http://www.cheapecconz.com/ . A big centre with all the tools to be an elite player, Johansen paced the Blue Jackets with a standout game Saturday night. He had a goal and two assists for a career-high three points as Columbus beat the New York Islanders 5-2 to snap a five-game losing streak. Ecco Shoes Sale Online . With their top three point guards and Kobe Bryant all sidelined by injury, the Lakers signed Marshall out of the D-League on Friday before their home game against Minnesota. Ecco Shoes Nz Sale . Defencemen Drew Doughty, Shea Weber and forward Ryan Getzlaf also scored for the Canadians, who started their gold-medal defence 2-0. Goalie Roberto Luongo, getting the call in place of Game 1 starter Carey Price, was solid when needed in making 23 saves for the shutout. ESPN rounds up the best soundbites from Austria as a dramatic race culminated in the Mercedes drivers colliding for the second time in 2016.I think those yellow kerbs in the fast corners are really dangerous.Max Verstappen sets the tone for the weekend by complaining about Austrias kerbs during Friday practice -- several of his fellow drivers would be doing the same the following day.No rain on the circuit, not even black clouds, so should be OK.Fernando Alonso can strike weatherman off the things to do after F1 list as he makes this bold declaration moments before the heavens opened in Q2. He would fail to make the top-ten shootout as a result.Thats a mega lap, a mega lap!Manor congratulates Pascal Wehrlein for his superb effort in qualifying as he claims 12th on the grid. He would go even better on Sunday, claiming the teams first points since Monaco 2014.Guys, think of bailing out. I have so much vibration.Nope, not Nico Hulkenberg attempting his best Beach Boys rendition, but the German driver asking for a new set of tyres as his race continued to crumble despite a front row start.?Good job Jenson, good job! Lets gett Nasr now!As Jenson Button rolls back the years and charges through the field McLaren urges him to keep up the pace and attack the Sauber of Felipe Nasr -- he goes on to finish sixth.ddddddddddddWhy is he on a softer tyre than me?Lewis Hamilton, on the softs, questions why Rosberg was fitted with super-soft tyres at his final stop, forgetting Rosberg did not have any sets of soft tyres available.Okay Lewis, close that gap as much as you can -- its hammer time.A message we have not heard for a while. Hamiltons race engineer Peter Bonnington urges the world champion to close the gap to Rosberg -- had he known what was to follow, he might have kept quiet.OK Lewis, well done mate -- thats not the race we were after but a good result.? Yeah, I was on the outside. It wasnt me who crashed.Bonnington congratulates Hamilton without his usual post-race gusto and the world champion responds with a firm defence, insisting it was the driver of the other Mercedes who caused their controversial collision. ' ' '