Scandal Rocks Team Canada Before Opening Ceremonies
Alleged Drone Spying Impacts Women’s Soccer Coach, Staffers
The 2024 Paris Summer Olympics have yet to have their opening ceremonies and scandal has taken place. In Olympic news, Canada’s soccer drone scandal has led to Team Canada women’s soccer coach Bev Priestman not joining the team for its Thursday opener against New Zealand. The team sent home two staffers after an alleged spying incident. How 2024 is it that drones allegedly gain an edge?
Canadian women’s soccer team coach Bev Priestman will not coach against New Zealand in Canada’s first Olympic soccer game on Thursday after an investigation discovered there were two incidents where drones were flown over New Zealand’s women’s Olympic team training sessions.
Two… pic.twitter.com/4Y1GmAWTNR— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) July 24, 2024
Per CBC.ca:
Assistant coach Jasmine Mander and Canada Soccer analyst Joseph Lombardi were ousted from the soccer team’s staff, the Canadian Olympic Committee said Wednesday in a statement in which it accepted Priestman’s decision to not coach the opener in Saint-Etienne, France.
The shakeup came after the COC’s review of drone incidents in Saint-Etienne. There were reports that drones flew over New Zealand’s practice sessions both Monday and last Friday.
“I am ultimately responsible for conduct in our program” Priestman said in Wednesday’s statement. “Accordingly, to emphasize our team’s commitment to integrity, I have decided to voluntarily withdraw from coaching the match on Thursday. In the spirit of accountability, I do this with the interests of both teams in mind and to ensure everyone feels that the sportsmanship of this game is upheld.”
“On behalf of our entire team, I first and foremost want to apologize to the players and staff at New Zealand Football and to the players on Team Canada. This does not represent the values that our team stands for.”
Sinner Out of Games Due to Tonsilitis
And in more Olympic news, before the actual Opening Ceremonies, the men’s tennis competition suffered a blow as World No. 1 Jannik Sinner exited the Games due to tonsillitis.
Sono amareggiato di informarvi che purtroppo non potrò partecipare ai Giochi Olimpici di Parigi.
Dopo una buona settimana di allenamento sulla terra ho cominciato a non sentirmi bene. Ho trascorso un paio di giorni a riposo ed in visita il medico ha riscontrato una tonsillite e… pic.twitter.com/Qrx8TJLoMA
— Jannik Sinner (@janniksin) July 24, 2024
In sports betting news, Sinner was considered one of the top three players in the men’s tennis event. It is a blow to the Olympic Games before its official kickoff.
Soccer Drama as Argentina Knots Morocco
The games are not officially underway, but the soccer competition has started with immediate intrigue. Argentina scored a goal on the final touch of the match against Morocco to secure a draw. However after the match ended, teh VAR was reviewed and the last goal from Argetina was removed, leaving the score 2-1 with Marocco winning the match.
An absolutely CHAOTIC finish as Argentina draw with Morocco!
The Olympics are SO back. 🔥 #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/MUTd4xyrci
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 24, 2024
Canada’s soccer drone scandal has already cast a shadow over the competition. There already is a bunch of Olympic news and the games are not officially underway. Expect a wild few weeks in Paris. Stay tuned.
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