The Canadian Olympic Committee has issued an apology for the recent drone incident involving a staff member of the women’s soccer support team. The incident occurred when a non-accredited member of the Canada Soccer support team was detained by French authorities for allegedly using a drone to record the New Zealand women’s football team during practice.
In a statement, the Canadian Olympic Committee expressed shock and disappointment over the actions of the staff member. They offered heartfelt apologies to New Zealand Football, the affected players, and the New Zealand Olympic Committee. The Committee also mentioned that they are working with the International Olympic Committee, Paris 2024, Canada Soccer, and FIFA to determine the next steps in response to the incident.
Following the incident, members of the New Zealand women’s soccer team staff reported the drone to local police, leading to the operator’s detainment. The matter was then reported to the International Olympic Committee’s integrity unit for further investigation.
Both the NZOC and New Zealand Football have emphasized their commitment to upholding the integrity and fairness of the Olympic Games. They expressed deep shock and disappointment over the incident, especially since it occurred just days before the two teams were scheduled to face each other in their opening game at Paris 2024. The NZOC stated that their priority is to support the New Zealand women’s football athletes and the team as they begin their campaign.
The Canadian women’s soccer team is set to defend their gold medal on Thursday against New Zealand in Saint-Étienne. The incident has cast a shadow over the upcoming match, with both teams now having to navigate the fallout from the drone incident. The focus remains on the athletes and ensuring that the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship prevails throughout the competition.