July 26, (THEWILL) – The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) has taken swift action in response to a growing scandal involving the women’s football team at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
COC CEO, David Shoemaker, announced the removal of head coach Bev Priestman following her suspension by Canada Soccer. This decision came after New Zealand lodged complaints about Canada using drones to spy on their training sessions before their opening match.
The controversy has cast a shadow over Canada’s Olympic campaign, with some calling for the team’s disqualification. However, Shoemaker stated that he is “comfortable with the team competing as it is” while emphasising the COC’s commitment to fair play. The incident has raised questions about the integrity of Canada’s past Olympic performances, including their gold medal win in Tokyo 2020.
Reports suggest that the use of drones to film opponents’ training sessions may have been a long-standing practice for the Canadian women’s team. This revelation has prompted calls for a thorough investigation into past tournaments, including the Tokyo Olympics. Shoemaker expressed his dismay at the possibility that these allegations could taint one of Canada’s most celebrated Olympic moments.
The Swedish FA, who lost to Canada in the Tokyo 2020 gold medal match, has chosen not to protest or comment on the matter.
Meanwhile, Canadian officials view this situation as an opportunity to reinforce their message of “winning well”. Shoemaker stressed the importance of sending a clear signal about the value of fair competition, even if it means facing difficult consequences.
Andy Spence has been tasked with the responsibility of head coach for the remainder of the tournament. The COC has pledged to cooperate fully with any investigations and to take further action if new information comes to light.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
