Exciting Saturday at the Paris Summer Olympics
Upsets, Stellar Performances, and Gripping Human Interest
The Olympic Games kicked into high gear on Saturday. Early on, controversy erupted when FIFA hit Canadian Women’s Soccer with severe penalties and a $226,000 fine for a “Canadian soccer penalty scandal” involving the use of drones by coaches.
The Canadian Olympic Committee and Canada Soccer have released statements after FIFA’s punishment of Canada’s women’s national team. pic.twitter.com/WUgJ4HKDdz
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 27, 2024
The damage makes it difficult for the reigning gold medalists to avoid being knocked out in the knockout round.
FIFA crushed Canada: The sanctions were for violating “the applicable FIFA regulations in connection with its failure to ensure the compliance … with the prohibition on flying drones over any training sites.”FIFA found each official responsible for offensive behavior and violation of the principles of fair play.
Coach Beb Priestmann returned home and received a one-year suspension. Additionally, officials banned assistants Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander from all soccer activities for one year after implicating them in the Canadian soccer penalty scandal.
Canadian Officials Push Back Against Sanctions
The Canadian officials weren’t about to just accept the sanctions.
“We feel terrible for the athletes on the Canadian Women’s Olympic Soccer Team who as far as we understand played no role in this matter. In of the athletes, together with Canada Soccer, we are exploring rights of appeal related to the six-point deduction at this Olympic tournament” David Shoemaker, CEO of the Canadian Olympic Committee, said in a statement.
“Canada Soccer feels disappointed with the impact of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision on our athletes” Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue stated. “We are exploring options to appeal, arguing that the decision excessively punishes our Women’s National Team players, who did not engage in any unethical behavior.”
“Canada Soccer took swift action to suspend the implicated staff and is also proceeding with a broad independent review that may lead to further disciplinary action.”
This Canadian soccer penalty scandal has cast a shadow over the team’s Olympic campaign, raising concerns about the impact on the athletes who were not involved.
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Ledecky Takes Bronze
The great American distance swimmer Katie Ledecky tasted defeat in the 400-meter race. It is the second straight Olympics Ledecky lost in this event. She took a bronze behind Australian Ariarne Titmus and Canadian teen Summer McIntosh.
“It’s always good to get a medal for Team USA” Ledecky said. “I want to be a little faster, but I can’t complain with the medal.”
There will be more races ahead for the 27-year-old Ledecky, and the longer they go, the better she is.
In a better result for the USA, the country’s first gold came from a swimming relay team.
GOT OUR FIRST GOLD 🥇🇺🇸#ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/j9jDrmSQJS
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) July 27, 2024
Sadness for Samoa
On boxing news, Team Samoa has one boxer in the competition . The fighter’s coach, Lionel Elika Fatupaito, had a cardiac arrest Friday and died at the Olympic Village. He was 60.
The boxing community in Samoa is mourning the loss of national coach Lionel Elika Fatupaito who ed away in Paris, , a day before the opening ceremony. https://t.co/yOwf3u3wtR
— Samoa Observer (@samoaobserver) July 27, 2024
The boxer he trained, Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali, a two-time Pacific Games heavyweight champion, will face Belgium’s Victor Schelstraete on Sunday.
“I first met coach Lionel when I was 15 and trialling for Samoa’s Youth team” the boxer said. “He was a kind and generous coach, not only with his time, material things, but also his knowledge”
Plodzicki-Faoagali wrote, alongside a photo of himself and Fatupaito. “You will be sorely missed coach … Rest well old man, gonna miss you out there, you were the calm one and dad the storm of our corner.”
The International Boxing Association released a statement offering condolences:
“Lionel’s dedication and ion for the sport have left an indelible mark on the boxing community. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations. Our thoughts and prayers are with Team Samoa and all those affected by this profound loss.”
Nadal, Alcaraz Advance
One of the best doubles combinations – when you combine individual accomplishments – is from Team Spain. The phenomenal tennist, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz love the French clay. They won their doubles debut over a team from Argentina, 7-6(4), 6-4. They will provide all sorts of excitement in tennis while still in the tournament.
