Sports
Five Players From 2018 Canada World Junior Team Take Leave Of Absence From Their Clubs
Five members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior Team have taken a leave of absence from their current clubs in recent days following reports that five members of the team have been requested to surrender to police to face sexual assault accusations.
NHL players Michael McLeod and Cal Foote of the New Jersey Devils, Carter Hart of the Philadelphia Flyers, Dillon Dube of the Calgary Flames, and former NHL player Alex Formenton, who is now with a team in Europe, have all been granted indefinite leave, with the announcements coming over the last four days.
The Flyers and Swiss club HC Ambri-Piotta cited personal reasons for Hart’s and Formenton’s departures; the Swiss club also stated that Formenton had been permitted to return to Canada. The Flames cited Dube’s mental health, while the Devils announced McLeod and Foote were on leave without explaining on Wednesday.
Five Players From 2018 Canada World Junior Team Take Leave Of Absence From Their Clubs
Messages left for all five players’ agents and repeated messages sent to Hart’s lawyer seeking comment were responded to after some time. The NHL Players’ Association has declined to respond.
London, Ontario, police initiated an inquiry in 2022 after learning that Hockey Canada had settled a complaint with a woman who claimed she was sexually abused by eight members of the gold medal-winning team during a gala. According to the Globe and Mail, five players from that team have been ordered to surrender to police in the city midway between Toronto and Detroit to face sexual assault accusations.
When The Associated Press contacted London Police, a spokeswoman declined to confirm the allegation. “When there is an update to provide, we will share it with media outlets,” Sgt. Sandasha Bough said.
London Police stated Wednesday that they would conduct a news conference on February 5 to provide additional information “in relation to a sexual assault investigation dating back to 2018.”
Earlier in the day, Flyers general manager Daniel Briere began his midseason state-of-the-organization news conference by stating, “We are aware of this morning’s press reports on a very serious matter.” We will respond appropriately once the results of the investigations are made public.
Five Players From 2018 Canada World Junior Team Take Leave Of Absence From Their Clubs
“The NHL has made it clear that teams should direct all investigation-related queries to them. Meanwhile, members of the organization, including Flyers players, will not say further. That’s all we can say right now, regrettably.”
The NHL launched its inquiry in 2022 and promised to publicize the results.
Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told The Associated Press via email Wednesday that the league will publish a comment when appropriate, adding that there was nothing further he could say now. During the Stanley Cup Final in June, Daly stated that an independent investigator had completed work and that a report would be available by summertime for the league to evaluate.
“We have been in contact with the London police, continue to want to be in contact with them, make sure that there’s visibility with respect to what our process is,” Daly told the BBC on June 3. “And our goal would be to discover what theirs is. And I can’t predict what occurs after that.”
On Tuesday, the Flyers announced Hart’s leave of absence after he had one of his worst starts of an otherwise excellent season, allowing five goals on 15 shots in a loss to Colorado before being yanked. Briere said he didn’t know if the circumstance influenced Hart’s current performance.
“I really can’t tell because we don’t know anything,” stated Briere. “We are unaware of anything. There is a lot of speculation. “That is all we know.”
When asked after practice in Newark, New Jersey, if McLeod and Foote’s absences were related to the report, Devils coach Lindy Ruff responded, “I’m not sure. I do not know.”
The Flames stated in its Sunday announcement concerning Dube, “Dillon is under the care of health professionals, and we request that Dillon’s privacy be respected during this period.”
Five Players From 2018 Canada World Junior Team Take Leave Of Absence From Their Clubs
Formenton, 24, was a 2017 second-round draft pick by the Ottawa Senators, who did not re-sign him in 2022 after his contract ended, although keeping his rights. Since then, he has played in Switzerland’s National League A.
It was unclear when or if the NHL will divulge the findings of its inquiry and what consequences any players involved may face. There needed to be more clarity on the three other players who were supposed to be engaged.
Hockey Canada has made significant improvements nearly two years after this, and other scandals surfaced, as well as the loss of big sponsors. CEO Scott Smith was fired, and the board of directors resigned in October 2022 over how Hockey Canada handled sexual assault complaints and paid out settlements.
Nike discontinued their agreement with Hockey Canada permanently last year after pausing it, along with other sponsors, in response to harsh criticism of the organization’s leadership.
SOURCE – (AP)
The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics promises to be unlike any other.
In a novelty for the Games, the show will be held on Paris’ famed River Seine rather than in a stadium.
Here is everything you need know about the ceremony…
What to expect from the spectacular opening ceremony.
The eye-catching celebration will take place over a 6km stretch of the Seine. It will start at Austerlitz Bridge and culminate among the gardens, fountains, and palaces in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower at Trocadero.
Almost 100 boats will carry over 10,000 athletes and dignitaries as they cruise past Paris’ prominent monuments such as Notre Dame Cathedral and Pont Neuf.
The boats will transport the parade’s participants as well as the artistic portion of the celebration, which will highlight Paris and France’s history and culture.
The performers’ identities, however, have been kept a mystery.
Thousands of people are still expected to line the river and streets, with millions more watching on television all over the world.
“I’d like to show France in all its diversity,” said Thomas Jolly, the French actor and theatre director appointed as the ceremony’s creative director, a post previously played by Danny Boyle in London 2012.
“Illustrate the richness and plurality shaped by its history, which has been influenced and inspired by the diverse cultures that have passed through it, while itself serving as a source of inspiration.”
The ceremony will also involve the ceremonial opening of the Games, led by French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as the lighting of the Olympic cauldron.
Many of the finer elements have been maintained as a surprise.
What is the date and time of the opening ceremony?
The ceremony will commence at 19:30 local time (18:30 BST) on Friday, July 26.
It is scheduled to take little under four hours, with the last parts taking place as the sun sets over the French city.
Fortunately, the Paris weather forecast for Friday evening is positive.
In what sequence will the nations be introduced?
In accordance with tradition, Greece will be the first nation introduced during the ceremony.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, an NBA star, is one of their flagbearers for the games.
Greece will be followed by the Refugee Olympic Team, with hosts France being the last to be unveiled.
Because of their countries’ involvement in the Ukrainian conflict, Russian and Belarussian athletes participating as individuals will not participate.
How to follow the opening ceremony on BBC.
The opening ceremony will begin live at 17:45 BST on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, and the BBC Sport website and app.
BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds will provide radio coverage beginning at 19:00 BST.
There will also be live text coverage on the BBC Sport website and app, bringing you all the action from Paris.
Source: BBC
Sports
Coco Gauff To Be Female Flag Bearer For US Team At Olympic Opening Ceremony, Joining LeBron James
PARIS — Coco Gauff, a tennis player, will join LeBron James as a flag bearer for the United States Olympic team at Friday’s opening ceremony.
Coco, the reigning US Open winner, is ready to make her Olympic debut at the Paris Games, becoming the first tennis player to carry the American flag. Team USA athletes selected her and James.
“I believe the Olympics are the priority. It’s equal to the Grand Slams. I wouldn’t put it above or below because I’d never played before. “This is my first time,” Gauff explained earlier this year. “I always want to do well and get a medal.”
Coco Gauff | AP News Image
Coco Gauff To Be Female Flag Bearer For US Team At Olympic Opening Ceremony, Joining LeBron James
Coco and James, the 39-year-old NBA’s all-time top scorer, engage in sports outside the traditional Olympic realm and receive media attention year-round rather than every four years.
Coco, 20, joined the American team for the Tokyo Olympics as a youngster three years ago but had to withdraw because she tested positive for COVID-19 just before flying to Japan.
Coco, who now lives in Florida, has won Grand Slam titles in both singles and doubles. She earned her first major triumph in New York in September, defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the singles final of the U.S. Open, and then won her first Grand Slam doubles title at the French Open in June with Czech Republic’s Katerina Siniakova.
The Paris Olympics will be played on the same clay courts at Roland Garros used for the French Open. The bracket draw will take place on Thursday, and play will begin on Saturday.
Coco is seeded second in singles, matching her current WTA ranking behind Poland’s No. 1 Iga Swiatek, and will be one of the medal favorites.
Coco Gauff | AP news Image
Coco Gauff To Be Female Flag Bearer For US Team At Olympic Opening Ceremony, Joining LeBron James
She and her normal doubles partner, Jessica Pegula, are seeded first in the women’s doubles. Gauff may also compete in mixed doubles; however, those pairs have yet to be determined.
“I’m not putting too much pressure on it, because I want to fully enjoy the experience,” Gauff said of her Olympic debut. “Hopefully I can have the experience multiple times in my lifetime, (but) I’ll treat it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
SOURCE | AP
When LeBron James was chosen for his first Olympics in 2004, he was unsure what the opening ceremony entailed.
This time, he’ll be a star of the show.
His fellow American Olympians chose James to be the male flagbearer for the United States at the opening ceremony of the Paris Games on Friday night. He is the third basketball player — and the first men’s player — to carry the United States flag at the start of an Olympics, following Dawn Staley in 2004 and Sue Bird in 2021.
“It’s an incredible honor to represent the United States on this global stage, especially in a moment that can bring the whole world together,” James told reporters. “As a kid from Akron, this responsibility means everything to not only me, but to my family, all the kids in my community, my teammates, other Olympians, and so many more people throughout the country with huge dreams. Sports have the capacity to unite us all, and I’m honored to be a part of this historic occasion.”
The 39-year-old James learned of the distinction Monday in London, just hours before the United States men’s team was supposed to play its final pre-Olympics exhibition game against World Cup champion Germany.
“We understand how much of an honor it is to be in that position and I think Bron’s entire career, on and off the court, speaks for itself as him being worthy of that honor,” Curry said on the video announcing his nomination.
“He has represented what it means to be excellent both on and off the court in his commitment to service and to uplifting the community in all ways that he knows how has been a lifelong passion,” Curry pointed out. “And the work speaks for itself.”
LeBron James Selected As Team USA Male Flagbearer For Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony
The female U.S. flagbearer is anticipated to be revealed on Tuesday. In 2020, the International Olympic Committee announced that country delegations would have two flagbearers at the Olympics’ opening ceremony, one male and one female, to encourage gender equality. The United States is set to send around 600 competitors to the Paris Games, with approximately 53% women.
“Being chosen by your teammates to carry the flag is a tremendous honor—and a testament to LeBron’s passion for Team USA and dedication to his sport,” U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee CEO Sarah Hirshland said.
James, a global icon, four-time NBA champion, and the league’s all-time leading scorer about to begin his record-tying 22nd NBA season, is set to compete in the Olympics for the fourth time, having previously won bronze in 2004, gold in Beijing in 2008, and gold again in London in 2012. He participated in the opening ceremony at his previous three Olympics.
This will be an unprecedented Olympic opening ceremony, with thousands of participants sailing along the River Seine at nightfall toward the Eiffel Tower. According to Olympic officials, the route is a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) one, with some 320,000 spectators expected to watch from the river bank and an estimated 1 billion more watching on televisions around the world.
LeBron James Selected As Team USA Male Flagbearer For Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony
Not all Olympic athletes attend the opening ceremony; many miss it for logistical reasons, such as having to compete the next day. James and the four-time defending gold champion U.S. men shall begin Olympic competition on Sunday, when they face Serbia in Lille, France.
James and the American Olympians will have to wait longer than virtually any other nation for their voyage on the Seine. According to IOC protocol, Greece will lead the march, with NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo serving as one of its two flagbearers. The Refugee Olympic Team and over 200 more national delegations will follow. The United States is slated to be next-to-last in the procession because Los Angeles will host the next Summer Olympics in 2028.
As the host, France will be the last nation to participate in the opening ceremony procession. Its men’s basketball team, which includes reigning NBA rookie of the year Victor Wembanyama, begins Olympic competition on Saturday and is not scheduled to attend the opening ceremony.
SOURCE | AP
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