Games

Wednesday March 24, 2020

March 16, 2020

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday March 24, 2020

Tokyo Olympics officially postponed to 2021

Coronavirus cartoons

The International Olympic Committee announced a first-of-its-kind postponement of the Summer Olympics on Tuesday, bowing to the realities of a coronavirus pandemic that is shutting down daily life around the globe and making planning for a massive worldwide gathering in July a virtual impossibility.

The IOC said the Tokyo Games “must be rescheduled to a date beyond 2020, but not later than summer 2021, to safeguard the health of the athletes, everybody involved in the Olympic Games and the international community.”

It was an announcement seen as all but a certainty as pressure mounted from nervous athletes, sports organizations and national Olympic committees — all confronting the reality that training and qualifying schedules, to say nothing of international anti-doping protocols, had been ruptured beyond repair.

The IOC also said the Games will still be called the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee announced a first-of-its-kind postponement of the Summer Olympics on Tuesday, bowing to the realities of a coronavirus pandemic that is shutting down daily life around the globe and making planning for a massive worldwide gathering in July a virtual impossibility.

The IOC said the Tokyo Games “must be rescheduled to a date beyond 2020, but not later than summer 2021, to safeguard the health of the athletes, everybody involved in the Olympic Games and the international community.”

It was an announcement seen as all but a certainty as pressure mounted from nervous athletes, sports organizations and national Olympic committees — all confronting the reality that training and qualifying schedules, to say nothing of international anti-doping protocols, had been ruptured beyond repair.

The IOC also said the Games will still be called the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. (CBC) 

 

Tuesday February 27, 2018

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday February 27, 2018

Pyeongchang Winter Olympics 2018: ‘the Games of new horizons’?

Moments before the XXIII Winter Games ended amid a furious barrage of K-pop and firecrackers, the president of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, insisted: “We have seen here how sport can make the world a better place … these are the Games of new horizons.”

July 21, 2016

Watching athletes from North and South Korea strolling happily together, for once separated by centimetres rather than 73 years’ antipathy, it was entirely possible to be swept along by waves of sentiment and hope.

Yet another image of Bach, from earlier in the day, was also hard to shake: one of the IOC president despondently confirming that Russian athletes would not march under their own flag  at Sunday’s closing ceremony, because of two doping violations at these Games.

Especially as, with his very next breath, he also promised that the Russian Olympic Committee’s suspension would be lifted very soon if there were no more positive tests. That suspension was imposed on 5 December and will have probably lasted less than 100 days when it is lifted.

August 19, 2004

As a response to the most audacious state-sponsored doping programme in history, it counts as barely a slap on the wrist – even when a $15m fine, being forced to call themselves “Olympic Athletes from Russia”, and a ban on the Russian flag and anthem in Pyeongchang is tacked on.

A closing ceremony that began with the crowd of 35,000 people counting down together to say “one” as the athletes entered the stadium ended with the Russians close to being officially readmitted to the Olympic fold.

September 9, 2000

On the final day of competition, the Olympic Athletes from Russia won their second gold of the Games, in the men’s ice hockey. But it only inched them up to 13th in the medal table – a far cry from their first place in Sochi when their athletes were fuelled by a cocktail of steroids as well as patriotic fervour.

The next Winter Olympic games will be in Beijing in 2022. (Source: The Guardian) 

 

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Tuesday August 16, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Tuesday August 16, 2016 Usain Bolt is a mentor and friend to Andre De Grasse Andre De Grasse first had the chance to meet Usain Bolt when the Markham, Ont., native was getting set to run the anchor leg of Canada's 4x100-metre relay team at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. De Grasse, then 19, was too nervous to talk to the sprinting legend, and shied away from Bolt. But times have certainly changed. On Sunday night, Bolt won his third straight Olympic gold medal in the 100-metre sprint, crossing the line in 9.81 seconds, 8-100ths of a second ahead of American Justin Gatlin. De Grasse made his Olympic debut a memorable one, capturing bronze in a personal best of 9.91. Afterwards, the two shared congratulations, much as they did while standing on the podium at the 2015 world championships. Despite the rivalry, Bolt seems very genuine in his fondness of De Grasse, while the Canadian looks up to the Jamaican icon. "We were just having some fun," De Grasse said after Sunday's final. "Me and Usain met back in January, we did a lot of things together.Ó The two have gotten to know each other quite well over the last two years during meets and sponsored events Ñ both are signed with apparel company Puma Ñ and the Jamaican star sees a bright future ahead for the 21-year-old. The friendship didn't stop De Grasse from doing everything he could to usurp the now three-time Olympic champion. It didn't happen in Rio, but a bronze medal in his Olympic debut has definitely caught Bolt's eye.ÊÊ "For me, it's a big deal," Bolt said of De Grasse's performance. "To come third last year [at the world championships] and then this year, to come in an even better field to do the same again, that's a big deal.Ó Bolt said he expects Rio to be his final Olympics, though the 29-year-old wouldn't rule out competing in Tokyo 2020. If he doesn't pursue a fourth 100-metre Olympic gold, he'll most certainly have an eye out for his c

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday August 16, 2016

Usain Bolt is a mentor and friend to Andre De Grasse

Andre De Grasse first had the chance to meet Usain Bolt when the Markham, Ont., native was getting set to run the anchor leg of Canada’s 4×100-metre relay team at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

De Grasse, then 19, was too nervous to talk to the sprinting legend, and shied away from Bolt.

But times have certainly changed.

Illustration by Graeme MacKay - 2016 Summer Olympic Games - illustration used for the cover of a special section devoted to the sporting event held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The process involved drawing and colouring the individual characters. Next was determining how they would best fit into a space roughly measuring 8.25 x 10.5 inches. (See Olympic-cover2). The background was chosen to be divided 5 ways: water, athletic indoor, athletic outdoor, track, and gymnastics.) Estimated completion time: 18hrs. Rio, 2016, Olympic, Games, Summer, Archery, badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, boxing, canoe, cycling, diving, equestrian, fencing, golf, field hockey, javelin, discus, shotput, relay, pommel horse, balance beam, uneven bars, gymnastics, breaststroke, sidestroke, butterfly, rowing, rugby sailing, shooting, synchronized, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, water polo, weightlifting, wrestling, couch potatoes

2016 Summer Olympic Games

On Sunday night, Bolt won his third straight Olympic gold medal in the 100-metre sprint, crossing the line in 9.81 seconds, 8-100ths of a second ahead of American Justin Gatlin. De Grasse made his Olympic debut a memorable one, capturing bronze in a personal best of 9.91.

Afterwards, the two shared congratulations, much as they did while standing on the podium at the 2015 world championships.

Despite the rivalry, Bolt seems very genuine in his fondness of De Grasse, while the Canadian looks up to the Jamaican icon.

“We were just having some fun,” De Grasse said after Sunday’s final. “Me and Usain met back in January, we did a lot of things together.”

The two have gotten to know each other quite well over the last two years during meets and sponsored events — both are signed with apparel company Puma — and the Jamaican star sees a bright future ahead for the 21-year-old.

The friendship didn’t stop De Grasse from doing everything he could to usurp the now three-time Olympic champion. It didn’t happen in Rio, but a bronze medal in his Olympic debut has definitely caught Bolt’s eye.

“For me, it’s a big deal,” Bolt said of De Grasse’s performance. “To come third last year [at the world championships] and then this year, to come in an even better field to do the same again, that’s a big deal.”

Bolt said he expects Rio to be his final Olympics, though the 29-year-old wouldn’t rule out competing in Tokyo 2020.

If he doesn’t pursue a fourth 100-metre Olympic gold, he’ll most certainly have an eye out for his competitor-turned-friend. (Source: CBC)

The Western Star, Corner Brook, Newfoundland

The Western Star, Corner Brook, Newfoundland

Friday, August 5 – August 16, 2016

Illustration by Graeme MacKay - 2016 Summer Olympic Games - illustration used for the cover of a special section devoted to the sporting event held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The process involved drawing and colouring the individual characters. Next was determining how they would best fit into a space roughly measuring 8.25 x 10.5 inches. (See Olympic-cover2). The background was chosen to be divided 5 ways: water, athletic indoor, athletic outdoor, track, and gymnastics.) Estimated completion time: 18hrs. Rio, 2016, Olympic, Games, Summer, Archery, badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, boxing, canoe, cycling, diving, equestrian, fencing, golf, field hockey, javelin, discus, shotput, relay, pommel horse, balance beam, uneven bars, gymnastics, breaststroke, sidestroke, butterfly, rowing, rugby sailing, shooting, synchronized, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, water polo, weightlifting, wrestling, couch potatoes

Illustration by Graeme MacKay – Friday August 5, 2016

2016 Summer Olympic Games, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Summer Games Gallery

Rio – June 30, 2016
Rio – July 5, 2016
London – August 3, 2012
London – July 27, 2012
Beijing – August 14, 2008
Beijing – August 7, 2008
Beijing – March 24, 2008
Athens – September 1, 2004
Athens – August 19, 2004
Athens – August 12, 2004
Athens – August 5, 2004
Athens – February 23, 2002
Athens – August 16, 2004
Sydney – September 9, 2000

Thursday July 21, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Thursday July 21, 2016 Dick Pound says ban Russia from Rio 2016 Olympics The founder of the World Anti-Doping Agency says the answer is clear Ñ Russia should be banned from the 2016 Rio Olympics for the good of the movement. Dick Pound, a longtime IOC member and a former competitive swimmer himself, says the IOC has an opportunity to send a clear message about zero tolerance for doping in the Olympics. "This is institutional cheating. It's just not acceptable in sport," said Pound on Wednesday. But the enormity of Russia Ñ both athletically and politically Ñ seems to be giving the International Olympic Committee pause, and it's delayed any decision on the allegations of state-sponsored doping in Russia until Sunday. "It's political Ñ instead of focusing as we should on the sport aspects of this," Pound said. Far from marring the Olympic brand, Pound said banning Russia from the upcoming games would improve the reputation of the IOC and the Olympic movement more generally. "It would demonstrate that, on matters of principle, and the protection of clean athletes and the integrity of competition, that the Olympic movement is prepared to suspend even one of its most successful countries, because it has been demonstrated to endorse and in fact organize cheating.Ó Russia has been accused of running a widespread state-sponsored doping program designed to give Russian athletes an edge in international competition by WADA, the agency Pound founded, which has recommended that Russia be banned from the upcoming games. Pound said he understands the IOC delaying the decision for fear of legal reprisal from Russian athletes, but says they've missed an opportunity by not embracing WADA's recommendations. "If I were the president of the IOC, I would be on my knees saying, 'Thank you for taking this albatross from around my neck. We are happy to do what you recommend,'" Pound said. Russia is not the only country

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday July 21, 2016

Dick Pound says ban Russia from Rio 2016 Olympics

The founder of the World Anti-Doping Agency says the answer is clear — Russia should be banned from the 2016 Rio Olympics for the good of the movement.

Dick Pound, a longtime IOC member and a former competitive swimmer himself, says the IOC has an opportunity to send a clear message about zero tolerance for doping in the Olympics.

“This is institutional cheating. It’s just not acceptable in sport,” said Pound on Wednesday.

But the enormity of Russia — both athletically and politically — seems to be giving the International Olympic Committee pause, and it’s delayed any decision on the allegations of state-sponsored doping in Russia until Sunday.

“It’s political — instead of focusing as we should on the sport aspects of this,” Pound said.

Far from marring the Olympic brand, Pound said banning Russia from the upcoming games would improve the reputation of the IOC and the Olympic movement more generally.

“It would demonstrate that, on matters of principle, and the protection of clean athletes and the integrity of competition, that the Olympic movement is prepared to suspend even one of its most successful countries, because it has been demonstrated to endorse and in fact organize cheating.”

Russia has been accused of running a widespread state-sponsored doping program designed to give Russian athletes an edge in international competition by WADA, the agency Pound founded, which has recommended that Russia be banned from the upcoming games.

Pound said he understands the IOC delaying the decision for fear of legal reprisal from Russian athletes, but says they’ve missed an opportunity by not embracing WADA’s recommendations.

“If I were the president of the IOC, I would be on my knees saying, ‘Thank you for taking this albatross from around my neck. We are happy to do what you recommend,'” Pound said.

Russia is not the only country with a doping problem, but this situation is unique in that it was run by the state and extended to almost all areas of high-level sport in the country, he noted. (Source: CBC News)