Rio

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)

Tuesday July 5, 2016

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Tuesday July 5, 2016 One Month to Go - Should we panic about Rio Olympics? Get real When is it time to panic about the Olympics? ItÕs true, things are not pretty in Rio de Janeiro, even as the Olympic torch arrived Tuesday in Brazil, with three months until the opening ceremony of the Games. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ ThereÕs the raw sewage in Guanabara Bay, slated for sailing events. The doubts over whether the subway line connecting the Olympic venues will be finished in time. The horror of the collapse of a recently built $12 million seaside bike pathÊ(two dead, three injured), calling into question the integrity of the other structures the city has built for the Games -- for which, by the way, ticket sales are still hovering at only about 62%. But panic? Well, the Zika virus is spreading, with some delegations debuting "Zika-proof" uniforms. The city's notorious crime rate looms large, and Amnesty International has called attention to the death toll from police crackdowns in the favelas, or shantytowns. All this while the country remains embroiled in economic recession, a corruption scandal and political drama, most notably impeachment proceedings against President Dilma Rousseff. But letÕs pause a moment. It has become tradition to sound alarm bells in the months leading up to an Olympic Games. Before the last go-round, Sochi for example, cries of crisis came often: Venues built on protected lands. Swollen budgets tied to crime syndicates. Illegal dumping and contaminated water. Anti-gay legislation and hate crimes. Pussy Riot. And stray dogs, everywhere. But good luck finding an example of a truly noble Olympics. Politics take a toll because the Olympics are never free and clear of their political moment. (Continued: CNN News) http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/03/opinions/rio-olympics-panic-bass/ World, Olympics, Rio, Brazil, 2016, Summer, games, delays, construction, #Rio2016, #RioOlympics

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday July 5, 2016

One Month to Go – Should we panic about Rio Olympics? Get real

When is it time to panic about the Olympics? It’s true, things are not pretty in Rio de Janeiro, even as the Olympic torch arrived Tuesday in Brazil, with three months until the opening ceremony of the Games.

There’s the raw sewage in Guanabara Bay, slated for sailing events. The doubts over whether the subway line connecting the Olympic venues will be finished in time. The horror of the collapse of a recently built $12 million seaside bike path (two dead, three injured), calling into question the integrity of the other structures the city has built for the Games — for which, by the way, ticket sales are still hovering at only about 62%.

But panic? Well, the Zika virus is spreading, with some delegations debuting “Zika-proof” uniforms.

The city’s notorious crime rate looms large, and Amnesty International has called attention to the death toll from police crackdowns in the favelas, or shantytowns.

All this while the country remains embroiled in economic recession, a corruption scandal and political drama, most notably impeachment proceedings against President Dilma Rousseff.

But let’s pause a moment. It has become tradition to sound alarm bells in the months leading up to an Olympic Games. Before the last go-round, Sochi for example, cries of crisis came often:

Venues built on protected lands. Swollen budgets tied to crime syndicates. Illegal dumping and contaminated water. Anti-gay legislation and hate crimes. Pussy Riot. And stray dogs, everywhere.

But good luck finding an example of a truly noble Olympics. Politics take a toll because the Olympics are never free and clear of their political moment. (Continued: CNN News)

The above cartoon ran locally on June 11, 2015, in advance of the Toronto Pan Am Games.

Thursday June 30, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Thursday June 30, 2016 Stephen Colbert: Rio Olympics Are 'Massive Catastrophe' With the Summer Olympics in complete disarray, Stephen Colbert examined the mess in Rio: "I am pumped for the Rio games. They are less than two months away É or never," Colbert said. JustÊyesterday, Rio's acting governor warned 'The Olympics could be a big failure,' which is actually an improvement because until yesterday, it looked like a massive catastrophe," Colbert said. "The Olympics are in real trouble: Many of the venues are still unfinished, possibly because over $10 billion dollars in construction contracts went to just five firms, all of which are already under investigation for price fixing and kickbacks, and this has already led to top executives being jailed or charged. Though on the plus side for those executives, the prisons won't be completed until 2036.Ó Colbert also pointed to Brazil's ballooning violent crime rate and a police force strapped by budget shortfalls as reasons why this year's Olympics could be a nightmare. "But corruption and crime aren't the only thing plaguing the Olympics: There is also actual plague," Colbert said. "Because fear over the Zika virus, which can cause birth defects, has led some athletes to stay home, and others to take special precautions like freezing their sperm.Ó Colbert then added some more reasons why the Rio Olympics might be doomed, from a heavily polluted Guanabara Bay, the site of some racing events, to the jaguar that was killed at an Olympics torch ceremony. "I believe that species of jaguar was the Spotted South American Metaphor," Colbert said. (Source: Rolling Stone)Êhttp://www.rollingstone.com/tv/news/stephen-colbert-rio-olympics-are-massive-catastrophe-20160629 World, International, Rio, de Janeiro, Dilma Rousseff, Rio, Brazil, Olymp

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday June 30, 2016

Stephen Colbert: Rio Olympics Are ‘Massive Catastrophe’

With the Summer Olympics in complete disarray, Stephen Colbert examined the mess in Rio: “I am pumped for the Rio games. They are less than two months away … or never,” Colbert said.

July 27, 2012

Just yesterday, Rio’s acting governor warned ‘The Olympics could be a big failure,’ which is actually an improvement because until yesterday, it looked like a massive catastrophe,” Colbert said.

“The Olympics are in real trouble: Many of the venues are still unfinished, possibly because over $10 billion dollars in construction contracts went to just five firms, all of which are already under investigation for price fixing and kickbacks, and this has already led to top executives being jailed or charged. Though on the plus side for those executives, the prisons won’t be completed until 2036.”

Colbert also pointed to Brazil’s ballooning violent crime rate and a police force strapped by budget shortfalls as reasons why this year’s Olympics could be a nightmare.


“But corruption and crime aren’t the only thing plaguing the Olympics: There is also actual plague,” Colbert said. “Because fear over the Zika virus, which can cause birth defects, has led some athletes to stay home, and others to take special precautions like freezing their sperm.”

Colbert then added some more reasons why the Rio Olympics might be doomed, from a heavily polluted Guanabara Bay, the site of some racing events, to the jaguar that was killed at an Olympics torch ceremony. “I believe that species of jaguar was the Spotted South American Metaphor,” Colbert said. (Source: Rolling Stone)