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Michael Schumachers doctors have started the process of bringing the former Formula One champion out of the coma he has been in since a skiing accident a month ago, his manager said Thursday. The 45-year-old Schumacher suffered serious head injuries when he fell and hit the right side of his helmet on a rock in the French resort of Meribel on Dec. 29. The seven-time F1 champion has been in an induced coma in Grenoble University Hospital since then, although his condition stabilized following surgery after initially being described as critical. And now doctors are slowly trying to wake him up. "Michaels sedation is being reduced in order to allow the start of the waking up process which may take a long time," Schumachers manager, Sabine Kehm, said in a statement. One reason for reducing the sedation is to see if the swelling has gone down in the patients brain and to assess what level of functions has been retained. Kehm said she was only providing an update now on Schumachers condition to clarify media leaks, and that no further details would be provided. French newspaper lEquipe first reported on Wednesday that doctors had started waking Schumacher. "The family of Michael Schumacher is again requesting to respect its privacy and the medical secret, and to not disturb the doctors treating Michael in their work," Kehm said. "At the same time, the family wishes to express sincere appreciation for the worldwide sympathy. ... For the protection of the family, it was originally agreed by the interested parties to communicate this information only once this process was consolidated. Please note that no further updates will be given." Schumacher was being kept artificially sedated and his body temperature was lowered to between 34 and 35 degrees Celsius (93.2 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit), to reduce swelling in the brain, reduce its energy consumption and allow it to rest. Schumacher earned universal acclaim for his uncommon and sometimes ruthless driving talent, which led to a record 91 race wins. He retired from Formula One in 2012 after garnering an unmatched seven world titles. Schumi, as his fans affectionately call him, was famously aggressive on the track and no less intense away from driving. In retirement, he remained an avid skydiver, horseback rider, and skier. The accident happened on a family vacation in the Alps as Schumacher was skiing with his 14-year-old son. . - Ronda Rousey realizes shes finishing up one of the biggest years for any fighter in the young history of mixed martial arts at UFC 168, and the UFCs bantamweight champion intends to go out on top. . TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie tweeted Monday morning that Callahan - who is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, is now open to a six-year contract at less than $7 million per season. http://www.brownsauthenticproshop.com/Y ... tt-Jersey/. 2015 Oscar nomination pending. Here is an open letter from Steven Stamkos to his fans: When I shot this final Moment Zero film last August, it was a fun few days on set with Coke Zero and Jordan Eberle in my hometown of Markham. . Chelsea took until the second half to trouble the leagues bottom team, but Schuerrle then ripped through the defence with ease at Craven Cottage to keep Jose Mourinhos side on track for the title. .com) - The Denver Nuggets snapped a losing streak last time out and will try to carry that momentum Saturday night when they welcome the Indiana Pacers to the Pepsi Center.TORONTO -- Purple is back for the Toronto Raptors 20th anniversary logo. The Raptors unveiled their special anniversary logo Tuesday, featuring two bold purple Xs around the traditional Raptors claw. Purple was the teams primary colour for its first 11 seasons in the NBA. "This anniversary logo embodies the excitement of both the future and the past of Raptors basketball, but most importantly, it reminds us of the success and history were working to create here," Tim Leiweke, president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertaiinment, said in a release.dddddddddddd Leiweke added that next season promises to be one of the most important yet, with both the teams 20th anniversary and preparations for the 2016 NBA all-star game in Toronto. The anniversary logo incorporates past and present team designs, anchored by the original Raptors font and jagged pinstripe design with the current claw. The logo will be featured prominently in team marketing and advertising next season, while a variation of it will be worn as a patch on the teams home uniforms. ' ' '