Canada Women’s Soccer Coach Stepping Down From Olympics Opener
Canada’s women’s soccer team coach is stepping down from her position, just days before their opening game at the Paris Olympics against New Zealand. It’s all over a reported drone scandal!
The 2024 Paris Olympics hasn’t even officially started and there’s already an alleged cheating scandal. Drones were spotted flying over closed practices sessions leading to an investigation. Now, the defending Gold Medal champions could be in some trouble!
Why Is Canada Women’s Soccer Coach Stepping Down From Opener?
The Summer Olympics are always a great watch. You get the track and field events, basketball, gymnastics, swimming, and more! One of those sports included under the “more” category would be soccer. In the Tokyo Olympics, the Canada women’s soccer team captured the Gold Medal defeating Sweden in the Finals. However, their road to a repeat just got a little more difficult.
According to AP News, an investigation was started after New Zealand complained about drones flying over their closed practice sessions earlier in the week. Following the investigation, two staff members on Canada’s women’s soccer team, Assistant Coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joseph Lombardi, were sent home, per AP. Now, Coach Bev Priestman is reportedly voluntarily removing herself from the opener against New Zealand in the name of sportsmanship. Assistant Coach Andy Spence will lead the team in Priestman’s absence.
Priestman tells AP, “By no means did I direct the individuals. I’m still learning the details and obviously this is all unfolding. But again, I think the important thing right now is to look forward, put the actions in place and take the sanctions.” The Associated Press reports that a French court sentenced a 43-year-old Canadian man to an 8-months suspended sentence for filming two of New Zealand’s training sessions with a drone. That man identified himself as an independent sports analyst for the Canadian federation.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time a drone with a Canada connection has been spotted filming a practice session. The Associated Press reports Honduras had to stop a training session in 2021 in Toronto because a drone was spotted flying above the pitch. Canadians are supposed to be famous for being kind and friendly. This doesn’t seem to fit that description. It’s good to see Canada taking the Olympics seriously and clearly they want to win some medals. However, you have to win them honorably!
