PARIS (Reuters) – New Zealand’s Olympic Committee says its women’s soccer team had their training session disrupted by a drone flown by a staff member of the Canadian team they face in Group A on Thursday.
“On July 22, a drone was flown over the New Zealand women’s football team training session in St Etienne,” the NZOC said on Tuesday. “Team support members immediately reported the incident to police, leading to the drone operator, who has been identified as a support staff member of the wider Canadian Women’s football team, to be detained.”
The incident was immediately reported to the International Olympic Committee’s integrity unit and Team Canada has since apologised and is said to be investigating, the NZOC said.
“The NZOC and New Zealand Football are committed to upholding the integrity and fairness of the Olympic Games and are deeply shocked and disappointed by this incident, which occurred just three days before the sides are due to face each other in their opening game of Paris 2024,” the statement said.
“At this time the NZOC’s main priority is to support the New Zealand women’s football athletes and wider team as they start their campaign.”
Reuters has contacted the Canadian team for comment.
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Toby Davis)
