PARIS — As the scandal surrounding the Canadian women’s soccer team continues to spiral out of control, officials with the Canadian Olympic Committee are “shocked and disappointed” with the fallout — and what this means for the legacy of Canada’s gold in Tokyo at the 2021 Games.
“That there now appears to be information that could tarnish that Olympic performance in Tokyo makes me ill,” David Shoemaker, the COC’s chief executive officer said at the Team Canada opening news conference on Friday morning. “It makes me sick to my stomach that there could be something that calls into question that was one of my favourite Olympic moments in history.”
Shoemaker’s comments were made several hours after women’s coach Bev Priestman was removed from the team in disgrace, the latest casualty of the drone scandal in Saint-Etienne, where the Canadian team is based. Originally two assistant coaches were sent home, including Joey Lombardi, the Canada Soccer analyst who was arrested by French authorities for operating the drone.
But after further investigation by Canada Soccer, it was recommended that Priestman also be dismissed, which happened after the team’s 2-1 win over New Zealand in their Olympic opener on Thursday.
“We continue to be shocked and disappointed,” Shoemaker said. “We feel very much frustrated as I’m sure all Canadians do. We have seen some of that information [shared by Canada Soccer] and we fully support [Priestman’s exit]. It’s the right decision under the circumstances.”
Postmedia reached out to numerous media attachés asking for comment from senior athletes on what it is like to be dealing with the fallout from the soccer scandal. No athletes were made available for comment.
“Our athletics athletes are in training camp and as part of their pre-Games plan, not doing interviews,” said Caroline Sharp, the media attaché for athletics.
Shoemaker acknowledged that the need to suspend Priestman was based on “the accumulation of facts” he received from Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue. Shoemaker said that based on the additional information gathered by the COC, it was concluded that it was highly likely the coach had knowledge of the drone incident.
The last thing any Olympian needs is a distraction of this magnitude, a feeling that is prevalent amongst Canadian athletes and officials here. Anne Merklinger, the CEO of Own the Podium, said the COC stance on integrity is an important message.
“Own the Podium is as disappointed and devastated as every Canadian is,” said Merklinger, whose organization distributes Sport Canada funding to high performance athletes and teams across the country. “Athletes come to these Games and they have to achieve their goals in the right way. They have to win well as we strongly believe.
“We can’t compromise on that. It’s non negotiable.”
Own the Podium has staff members with the soccer team in Saint-Etienne to offer support.
“The athletes are responsible for themselves,” Merklinger said. “They have to own that … look in the mirror and know that they are fair and ethical and know that’s what sport is all about. I don’t think there’s a Canadian here in Paris that’s not committed to the idea that sport is fair, safe, clean and grounded in integrity. That’s who we are as Canadians.”
The growing scandal dominated the COC’s annual pre-Games launch, an affair normally used to discuss optimistic predictions of medal totals, the opening ceremony and other feel-good stories.
Instead, the soccer mess took over the session, including concerns of how the spy story will weigh down the 315 Canadian athletes set to begin competition.
“I think when we see Summer McIntosh in the pool tomorrow, I hope that’s the medicine the whole nation needs and can use,” Shoemaker said.
While addressing the lingering story with transparency, COC officials remain adamant that the country’s Olympians are committed to fair play.
“What we’ve seen this week is not my experience with sports in Canada,” said COC president Tricia Smith. “It’s not who were are. That’s why when we learn of these things it’s an opportunity to address them. It’s almost like a double-edged sword. When we started to catch the dopers we said it was terrible, but no, it was a positive.
“When we learn of these issues, we take action like we did here.”
Shoemaker made it clear that the COC will stand by its guiding principle of fair play.
“In my nearly six years at COC, I along with my leadership team and board of directors have been committed to being as open and transparent as we can on all matters,” Shoemaker said. “We’re not going to sacrifice those principals.
“While I don’t like any tarnish that could result, that surely has resulted already, that can’t be the guiding principal. The guiding principal has to be that it’s very important to send a message that we must do what is right.”
With files from Dan Barnes, Postmedia Olympic Team