olympics – mackaycartoons

Saturday July 27, 2024

July 27, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday July 27, 2024

The Shadow Over Team Canada at the Paris Olympics

July 25, 2024

As the 2024 Summer Olympics kick off in Paris, Canada proudly showcases its strength and speed with Andre De Grasse and Maude Charron bearing the flag during the opening ceremony. These athletes symbolize the pinnacle of dedication, perseverance, and national pride. However, a dark cloud looms over Team Canada, overshadowing what should be a moment of celebration and unity. The recent drone spying scandal involving the Women’s Soccer Team has cast a significant stain on the country’s reputation at these Games.

News: De Grasse, Charron chosen as Canada’s flag-bearers for Paris Olympics opening ceremony

August 12, 2021

The scandal erupted when it was revealed that a drone operated by a member of Canada Soccer staff was caught spying on New Zealand’s training sessions. This breach of sportsmanship and ethics has led to the suspension of head coach Bev Priestman and an ongoing investigation by FIFA. Reports suggest that this unethical practice has been a long-standing one within Canada Soccer, dating back to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

This is not just an isolated incident; it reflects a broader, systemic issue within the organization. The use of drones for spying on opponents’ training sessions is a blatant form of cheating that undermines the integrity of the sport and the values of fair play that the Olympics are supposed to uphold.

London – July 27, 2012

The fallout from this scandal is immense. It puts the athletes in an incredibly difficult position. They have trained tirelessly to compete at the highest level, and now their achievements are tainted by association. If the team performs poorly, there will be whispers questioning the legitimacy of their previous successes, including their gold medal win in Tokyo. If they perform well, the shadow of doubt will still linger, casting a pall over their victories.

The suspension of head coach Bev Priestman and the interim appointment of Andy Spence further destabilize the team at a critical time. The players must now navigate not only the pressures of Olympic competition but also the turmoil and scrutiny brought about by this scandal.

The revelations that both the men’s and women’s teams have relied on such unethical practices for years raise serious questions about the culture within Canada Soccer. This is not merely about one rogue staffer or a single incident; it is about an organizational failure to uphold the principles of fair competition.

February 20, 2014

Kevin Blue, CEO of Canada Soccer, has stated that withdrawing the team from the Olympics is not being considered, as it would be unfair to the players who have not engaged in unethical behaviour. However, this stance may be seen by some as insufficient. The idea that only those directly involved should face consequences overlooks the fact that the entire team benefits from such practices. There are calls from both within Canada and the international community for stricter sanctions, including potential suspensions and bans.

News: Canada Soccer has not considered withdrawing women’s team from Olympics in wake of drone spying scandal

Sweeping this scandal under the rug will not help. Canada must confront this issue head-on, with transparency and accountability. This means not only cooperating fully with FIFA’s investigation but also conducting a thorough internal review and making systemic changes to ensure that such practices are eradicated.

Andre De Grasse and Maude Charron, leading Team Canada in the opening ceremony, symbolize the potential and excellence of Canadian athletes. It is imperative that their accomplishments, and those of their fellow athletes, are not overshadowed by the unethical actions of a few. The Olympics should be a celebration of fair play, integrity, and the spirit of competition. Canada must take decisive action to restore its reputation and uphold these values.

December 3, 2022

As we watch the parade of nations and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron, let us remember that true victory is not just about winning medals but about competing with honour and respect. Team Canada has a long road ahead to rebuild trust and integrity, but it is a journey that must begin now. (AI)

Reader Reaction – What people are saying on Facebook: Some commenters are embarrassed by Canada’s actions at the Olympics, feeling that the team’s behaviour was shameful and not in line with Olympic values. Others are more dismissive, feeling that the outrage is overblown and that all teams try to gain an advantage. Click on the image below to read:
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Thursday July 25, 2024

July 24, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday July 25, 2024

Link to the animated version of this editorial cartoon.

Canada’s Soccer Scandal: A Humiliating Start to Paris 2024

December 3, 2022

In a misstep that has overshadowed their gold-medal glory, the Canadian women’s soccer team has managed to kick off the Paris 2024 Olympics with a scandal that’s less “sportsmanship” and more “spy game.” Yes, Canada’s latest Olympic entry is not a record-breaking performance but a full-blown scandal involving espionage with a drone.

Let’s put this into perspective. When we talk about state-sponsored doping, countries like Russia, China, and North Korea come to mind. Russia’s doping scandal, exposed in 2015, involved a sprawling state-supported program so elaborate it could have been scripted by a spy novelist. This wasn’t just about athletes taking banned substances; it was a coordinated effort involving falsified tests and a state-run cover-up. The fallout? Russian athletes were banned from competing under their flag, and the country faced severe sanctions from international sports organizations.

News: Canadian Women’s Soccer Team Caught Spying on Opponent With Drone Ahead of Olympics

August 1, 2012

China, too, has had its fair share of doping controversies. In the 1990s and early 2000s, the Chinese government’s doping programs were so widespread that they seemed to be operating with the sole purpose of winning medals at any cost. This systematic abuse led to stripped medals and a long-term black mark on their sports programs, with many athletes suffering lasting health consequences.

North Korea, while less documented, has not escaped suspicion. Allegations of state-sponsored doping have hovered over the country, with rumours suggesting a pattern of using performance-enhancing drugs to elevate its athletes on the world stage. Despite the murkiness of the evidence, the association with such practices damages their reputation.

Fast forward to Canada’s present-day debacle: our women’s soccer team, in a bid for an edge over New Zealand, turned to spying—using a drone to capture training sessions. French authorities caught Joseph Lombardi, an unaccredited analyst, and assistant coach Jasmine Mander in the act. They were promptly sent home, and head coach Bev Priestman offered to step down from the opening match, a gesture accepted in an attempt to salvage some semblance of integrity. Yet, the damage was done.

Opinion: Canada’s soccer spying scandal is a humiliating way to kick off Paris 2024

February 27, 2018

The Canadian Olympic Committee’s decision to mandate ethics training for staff following these Games underscores a glaring issue: if we need to be reminded that cheating is wrong, we have a bigger problem. This scandal, involving the unauthorized drone and espionage, not only casts a long shadow over the team’s achievements but also puts Canada in an uncomfortable spotlight, alongside those infamous states known for their ethical breaches.

So, ask yourself, is this the legacy Canada wants to build at Paris 2024? Are we aiming to join the ranks of Russia, China, and North Korea in the annals of disgrace? This isn’t just a minor lapse; it’s a significant blemish on a nation that once prided itself on fairness and sportsmanship.

March 3, 2010

As the Olympic Games unfold, will Canada be remembered for its athletic prowess or for this sordid episode? The hope is that this scandal will be seen as an isolated incident in an otherwise illustrious sporting tradition. However, if this is the new face of Canadian sportsmanship, perhaps our Olympic motto needs a rethink—“Own the Podium by Any Means Necessary” might be closer to the truth than we’d like to admit. (AI)

Reader Comments

Meta Al – What people are saying

The comments react to a controversy involving Team Canada and spying at the Olympics, with many expressing embarrassment, shame, and disappointment. One comment notes that while the behaviour was not ethical, it is a common practice in sports. (Click on the image below to read reactions)

Saturday December 3, 2022

December 3, 2022 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday December 3, 2022

How Canada can build on World Cup run ahead of 2026 cycle

June 6, 2015

There were still plenty of valuable lessons for Canada despite the losses, though, and Les Rouges can apply those “learnings” – as coach John Herdman refers to them – when the country co-hosts the 2026 World Cup.

The Canadian men’s national team made history, just not enough of it.

As breathtaking as the team’s performances were in various stages, Canada still suffered defeat in all three games. It’s difficult to draw sweeping conclusions based on small sample sizes in tournament settings, let alone in a nation’s first men’s World Cup in 36 years.

Friday February 18, 2022

February 18, 2022 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday February 18, 2022

Canada beats rival U.S. to reclaim Olympic women’s hockey supremacy

Canada waited four long years for Olympic women’s hockey redemption.

February 20, 2010

In 2019, it failed to even reach the final of the world championship. That’s when the countdown began — literally.

General manager Gina Kingsbury gave each team member a clock displaying the days, hours, minutes and seconds until the 2022 Olympics.

Now, after the clocks hit zero, there’s Olympic gold medals around Canadian necks once more after beating the U.S. 3-2 on Thursday in Beijing to claim their first title since 2014.

Captain Marie-Philip Poulin scored twice — including her third career Olympic game-winning goal — while Sarah Nurse’s goal and assist pushed her past Canadian great Hayley Wickenheiser for most points in a single tournament with 18.

It was quite the journey even since the clocks were distributed. Canada won its first worlds since 2010 in August. Last October, it centralized with a group of 29 players in Calgary to prepare for six months for the Beijing Olympics. In January, that centralization became a bubble following a COVID-19 breakout.

Thursday February 17, 2022

February 17, 2022 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday February 17, 2022

Putin’s Long Tables Explained

January 22, 2022

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s every move is dissected as fears escalate that he’ll soon order an invasion of Ukraine, but attention has recently turned to why Putin sits across from a comically large table during meetings with other world leaders, the most recent instance of which came Tuesday during a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

The issue took global spotlight last week after Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron sat at opposite ends of a table pegged by Reuters to be 20 feet long during their meeting in Moscow.

The extreme social distance came after Macron refused to take a Russian-administered Covid-19 PCR test, and Reuters reported Thursday it was because France didn’t want Russia to have access to Macron’s DNA, citing two anonymous sources close to Macron.

Another French official told Reuters the protocols were due to Putin living a “strict health bubble,” and the Kremlin confirmed the extreme distance is to protect Putin.

Scholz met the same distanced fate as Macron during his Tuesday meeting in Moscow, sparking memes and providing comic relief during otherwise tense negotiations.