RIO DE JANEIRO -- Connor Fields saw this day coming. His 14-year-old self did, anyway. Thats when, seven years into a blossoming BMX racing career, he took a black Sharpie into his parents garage and predicted the future. I wrote, One day I will become an Olympic champion, on one of the walls, Fields recounted Friday afternoon, moments after becoming the first American to win Olympic gold in BMX racing. I cant wait to go home to my moms house and take a picture holding this medal up next to those words.When Fields, now 23, scribbled that promise, BMX racing was not yet an Olympic sport (it debuted in 2008). But he believed the day wasnt far off, and he knew he wanted to be a part of the team once it was. Of course, there were times when Fields forgot that brazen childhood prediction, when his 19-year-old self was too disappointed in his finish at the London Games to believe he still had gold buried inside or when, after injuring his wrist in May, his 23-year-old self doubted 2016 would be his year.I would be lying if I said there werent dark times or there wasnt doubt in my mind, Fields said. It was all a blessing in disguise. They say adversity makes you stronger if you let it. I think thats true.Four months ago, Fields had surgery to repair a break in his left wrist and missed the latter half of the season. He watched as Nic Long, who finished fourth in Rio, secured his spot on the U.S. team with a third-place finish at the world championships. Then Fields gritted his teeth as the remaining field of hopefuls duked it out at the U.S. trials. 2012 alternate Corben Sharrah won that race, but if he hadnt, USA BMX director Jamie Staff would have had a hard time making a case for using his coachs pick on Fields instead of Sharrah, who just missed making the final in Rio.Those were the hardest months, Fields said. Because it was out of my control.Since being named to the team, Fields has been focused and confident, saying his seventh-place finish in London taught him the importance of gearing up for every race; no matter how well you ride in semis, a medal is not guaranteed and, above all, start strong.London taught me that the Olympic race comes down to two races, Fields said. Theres the race to get into the final. And then in the final, everything is wiped off the board. Once I was in the final, my mindset changed. I was going for first, second, third or broke. I was in a good mental place. As I was walking up to the start, my coach said, Remember how you felt in London? Remember how bad that sucked? Heres your chance. Go get it.Trailing eventual silver medalist Jelle van Gorkom of the Netherlands out of the gate, Fields said he saw daylight heading into the second turn before instincts hes honed over 16 years of racing took over. I found the hole and got in front, he said. When I exited the last corner, I realized I was winning, and 70 meters in front of me was an Olympic gold medal. I was like, Get to the line. Get to the line. Get to the line. Then I just dropped to my knees. I couldnt believe it.Fields win is an historic one for an American team that enters each Olympics with the great expectation that comes with representing the country that gave birth to the sport. But until Friday, the U.S. had yet to win an Olympic gold medal, and this same five-rider team failed to medal at all in London. Rio marks the USAs most successful showing yet. Returning Olympian Alise Post took silver, the best finish for an American woman at the Games, and Long and Brooke Crain finished fourth.We had great results as a team, Post said. This was 100 percent different than in London. We were all first-time Olympians the last time around. Were more experienced now and it showed. Im so proud of our team.When asked by a reporter if there were times this season when Fields believed this moment wouldnt be possible, that his hand would never heal in time, he said his hand wasnt healed. Its still broken, he said I knew if I crashed again, I could damage it permanently. But I had confidence in myself. If Im not going to bet on myself, who is?Fields grew up in Las Vegas. When he isnt training with the U.S. team in Chula Vista, California, he lives in Vegas in the house he bought shortly after the London Olympics and is a part-time student at UNLV. But listen to him talk, and its clear the city influenced more than his college selection:Once I got into the final, I smiled to myself and said, Here we go. I put all my cards on the table and had the best start of my life.They say adversity makes you stronger if you let it. I didnt even know Id be here until two months ago, I changed coaches four months ago. I was injured. But at the end of the day, you have to bet big to win big. I bet on myself today. When they said Olympic champion and my name, it was surreal. If only my 14-year-old self could see me now. Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35 Dam . Already owning gold from competition in Vancouver in 2010, Loch posted a combined four-run time of 3:27.526. That included a track-record third run of 51. Nike Air Vapormax Sverige . The visitors took a deserved lead in the 16th minute with midfielder Yohan Cabaye curling the ball beyond Adrian from inside the penalty area. http://www.airvapormaxsverige.com/vapormax-plus-rea/herr.html Vapormax 97 Sverige . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . Billiga Vapormax Plus . Brazilian national coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has confirmed that the veteran goalkeeper is set to join Toronto on loan, saying it will help him be ready for the World Cup. PHOENIX -- Jimmy Nelson had another tough outing, and Milwaukees defense didnt really help out.Jake Lamb and Phil Gosselin each hit two-run homers during a five-run fifth inning to help the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Brewers 9-3 on Sunday.Lamb got his 24th homer for a 5-3 lead against Nelson, and Gosselin delivered a pinch-hit homer off reliever Michael Blazek to make it 8-3. The Diamondbacks matched the single-inning club record for extra-base hits with five.Nelson (6-11) allowed six earned runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. He struck out four, walked three, hit two batters and threw a wild pitch. Hes failed to get to five innings in three straight starts.Im just trying to stay positive at this point, Nelson said. Most of the stuff in that game was my fault. The three-run inning (fourth). Got balls up that got away from me.Daniel Hudson (2-2) won by getting the final out in the the fifth in relief of starter Archie Bradley.The Brewers took a 1-0 lead after Jonathan Villar led off the game with a walk, stole second and later scored on a wild pitch.Villar added another stolen base in the fifth for his 43rd this season, tying him with Billy Hamilton for the major league lead.Ryan Braun thwarted the Diamondbacks first-inning attempt to tie it when he threw out speedy Michael Bourn from left field to home plate on Lambs single. The tag play was close but not reviewed, and it ended the inning.Villar made it 2-0 with his ninth home run of the season, a solo shot to left-center field in the third inning.The Brewers made several miscues in the fourth and lost the lead. The Diamondbacks loaded the bases with no outs against Nelson, who hit back-to-back batters after issuing a leadoff walk. Villar then tumbled into the home dugout to catch Tuffy Gosewichs foul pop, allowing Yasmany Tomas to sscore from third base.ddddddddddddBradleys bunt was fielded by first baseman Andy Wilkins, who threw too high to home for an error. Then Jean Segura reached on Nelsons wild throw to first base, allowing Owings to score and giving the Diamondbacks a 3-2 lead.We were just trying to push the envelope a little bit more and make some things happen on the offensive side, Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale said. There were mistakes we took advantage of, and then guys just started to square up the ball. The home run by Lamb was huge to lengthen the lead.Hes not where he we wants to be or where we want him to be, Brewers manager Craig Counsell said of Nelson. Things are snowballing a little bit. We have to get more quality pitches. Every pitcher goes through this, there is going to be stuff that goes on, and you have to move on to the next pitch. Thats the game. Jimmys preparation is second to none.Bradley couldnt make it out of the fifth despite striking out the first two hitters.ICHIRO-VATIONDuring a break in the top of the eighth inning for some mound maintenance, the video highlight of Ichiro Suzukis 3,000th hit was played on the scoreboard at Chase Field. Fans reacted with applause.TRAINERS ROOMBrewers: Wily Peralta is in line to take RHP Junior Guerras rotation spot with Guerra dealing with elbow soreness. Guerra could be placed on the disabled list, Counsell said after the game. ... RHP David Goforth was optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs after the game.UP NEXTBrewers: RHP Zach Davies is scheduled for his 20th start of the season when he faces the Atlanta Braves on Monday in Milwaukee. Davies (9-4) is 9-1 in 16 starts with a 2.86 ERA since starting the season 0-3. ' ' '