Penton: Canada’s athletic reputation stained once again
By Bruce Penton
Canada, primarily because of our comparatively small population, is not one of the heavyweights in the global sports picture, unless we’re talking about hockey, where we dominate. But at an event like the Summer Olympics, Canada is usually one of the unheralded nations. In fact, through the years, Canada ranks 13th in total medals (while placing third overall in Winter Olympics).
But ask any sports fan outside of Canada what comes to mind when they mesh the words ‘Canada’ and ‘Olympics’ and the answer will invariably be ‘cheating.’
Canada, with an otherwise spotless worldwide reputation as fair, kind, honourable and polite — cheaters. Aaaghh! Say it ain’t so, Justin.
Thirty-six years ago, Ben Johnson brought shame to Canada when he tested positive for steroids in the aftermath of one of the biggest events of the 1988 Seoul Olympics: The 100-metre sprint final featuring Johnson and the United States star, Carl Lewis. The hype and buildup for the final was enormous and when Johnson crossed the finish line first in a world record time of 9.79 seconds, Canadians from coast to coast rejoiced.
For one day, anyway. Johnson’s use of the banned substance stanozolol, which was discovered in his system following a post-race drug test, had him stripped of the gold. The story made worldwide headlines and Johnson went from hero to zero in Canadian sports history.
Now, our country’s making headlines around the world for another reason — and it’s not the swimming exploits of Summer McIntosh, or the basketball team led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or the sprinting prowess of Andre DeGrasse. It’s another cheating scandal and because it’s centred around soccer, the sport played in more countries in the world than any other, the shame has spread to all corners of the globe.
Prior to the start of this year’s Olympics, a drone operated by representatives of the Canadian team was discovered taking video of a practice session of New Zealand, their first opponent (Canada won the game 2-1). Head coach Bev Priestman was suspended for the rest of the Olympic tournament and two others, an assistant coach and an analyst, were sent home from Paris before the opening ceremonies. “By no means did I direct the individuals,” Priestman said.
Initial reporting by Rick Westhead of TSN indicated that use of drones to spy on Canadian opponents’ practices has been commonplace. Questions were asked whether John Herdman, who guided the Canadian women’s soccer team to a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, authorized similar spying tactics while he was the women’s coach, and whether he’s authorized similar underhanded tactics in his current role as Canada’s men’s team coach. He said no to all such suggestions.
The Canadian Olympic story in Paris will obviously be brighter as the Games move toward their Aug. 11 conclusion. It couldn’t have got off to a worse start and no matter how many medals our country wins, the ‘cheating’ black cloud will hang over our country in the eyes of the rest of the athletic world.
Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel: “Golf is just an adult version of an Easter Egg hunt.”
Medicine Hat News’ CFL columnist Graham Kelly, detailing the recent sad history of Edmonton coach Chris Jones: “Jones’ major talent turns out to be burning bridges.”
Another one from Kelly, on the CFL matchup between struggling Edmonton and Hamilton: “Edmonton hosts Hamilton in the Misery Loves Company bowl.”
Comedy guy Torben Rolfsen of Vancouver: “Cleveland Guardians drafted Travis Bazzana first in the MLB draft. I hope at some point he gets to play for the Savannah Bananas. That would be awesome.”
Funny guy Brad Dickson of Omaha: “As some of you undoubtedly heard I qualified for the Paris Olympic Games in both the decathlon and the heptathlon. However, I've decided to forego the competition and stay home and spend my time reading social media posts about the upcoming U.S. presidential election.”
Vancouver author and humour columnist Steve Burgess: “Canada's Celine Dion will return to the stage in the Olympic opening ceremonies. Plans for drone footage have been cancelled.”
Phil Mushnick of the New York Post: “NBC’s genuine Olympics spirit can soon be seen on bills. Just before the Games were scheduled to begin, it raised the cost of Peacock by two bucks per month.”
Jack Finarelli on his website sportscurmudgeon.com, quotes from a note he received from a reader named Barry: “Reminder that the term ‘Home Run’ is incredibly offensive to homeless people, people in wheelchairs and especially homeless people in wheelchairs.”
RJ Currie of sportsdeke.com: “Reuters reports a Belgian town made a giant omelet of 10,000 eggs. I'm taking the high road on this and not cracking any yokes.”
Headline at the onion.com: “MLB Loses Millions of Stats In Warehouse Fire”
eadline at fark.com: “Why do athletes bite their medals at the Olympics? Because one in every 25 contains a delicious chocolate centre.”
Care to comment? Email brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca