Sports

Athletes from Canada walk during the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Athletes from Canada walk during the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Olympic Roundup: Small, enthusiastic contingent represents Canada at opening ceremony

The Canadians waved to their fellow athletes already gathered on the stadium floor, and the few people in the stands

The Sylvan Lake Gulls have won three of their last four games and sit third in the WCBL as the season moves into the final few weeks. (Photo by BYRON HACKETT/Advocate Staff)

Sylvan Lake Gulls on a roll heading into final stretch of WCBL regular season

Several Red Deer products help power Gulls to strong start

  • Jul 23, 2021
Canada’s Owen Power in action during the Ice Hockey World Championship final match between Finland and Canada at the Arena in Riga, Latvia, on June 6, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Sergei Grits

NHL prepares for second straight virtual entry draft

Toronto Maple Leafs dealt their first-round selection to the Columbus Blue Jackets in April

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) is sacked by the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Charlotte , N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)

NFL teams face potential forfeits for COVID-19 outbreaks

For purposes of playoff seeding, the forfeiting team would be assessed a loss and the other team a win

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) is sacked by the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Charlotte , N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Cal Quantrill delivers in the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Cleveland’s baseball team goes from Indians to Guardians

Choice of Guardians will undoubtedly be criticized by many of the club’s die-hard

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Cal Quantrill delivers in the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
FILE - Edmonton Oilers’ Adam Larsson (6) is shown during an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks in Vancouver, British Columbia, in this Monday, May 3, 2021, file photo. Adam Larsson and Chris Driedger are going to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft. (AP Photo/Nick Didlick, File)

Seattle Kraken sets first roster, will open season at Vegas

‘I envisioned this a lot of different ways and this is unbelievable’

FILE - Edmonton Oilers’ Adam Larsson (6) is shown during an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks in Vancouver, British Columbia, in this Monday, May 3, 2021, file photo. Adam Larsson and Chris Driedger are going to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft. (AP Photo/Nick Didlick, File)
Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, left, practices at the Ariake Tennis Center ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Japan’s Naomi Osaka celebrates after defeating Romania’s Patricia Maria Tig during their first round match of the French open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium Sunday, May 30, 2021 in Paris. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Christophe Ena

Osaka makes her return against Zheng at Tokyo Olympics

Naomi Osaka holds a 2-1 career edge over Zheng Saisai

Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, left, practices at the Ariake Tennis Center ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Japan’s Naomi Osaka celebrates after defeating Romania’s Patricia Maria Tig during their first round match of the French open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium Sunday, May 30, 2021 in Paris. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Christophe Ena
The Olympic rings are seen at Yokohama Baseball Stadium as the venue is prepared for softball competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Olympic scandals march on long after torch goes out

Brief look at some of the most notable news to hit the Olympic world since it last convened for the Summer Games

The Olympic rings are seen at Yokohama Baseball Stadium as the venue is prepared for softball competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
FILE - In this Tuesday, July 20, 2021, file photo, a woman wearing a protective mask walks in front of a Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics display at the Tokyo Metropolitan government in Tokyo. The Tokyo Olympics have already broken new ground because of the 12-month delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic, pushing it into an odd-numbered year for the first time. But with no fans permitted in Japan, foreign or local, it has the undesirable distinction of being the first Games to be held with no spectators. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File)

Let the fashion policing begin on opening day of Tokyo Games

Olympic gear makes for lively social media fodder, starting with the hours-long Parade of Nations

FILE - In this Tuesday, July 20, 2021, file photo, a woman wearing a protective mask walks in front of a Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics display at the Tokyo Metropolitan government in Tokyo. The Tokyo Olympics have already broken new ground because of the 12-month delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic, pushing it into an odd-numbered year for the first time. But with no fans permitted in Japan, foreign or local, it has the undesirable distinction of being the first Games to be held with no spectators. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File)
President of the Japan Community Health Care Organization Shigeru Omi attends a joint news conference with Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Japan’s response to the coronavirus outbreak at Suga’s official residence in Tokyo. (Issei Kato/AP)

Tokyo virus cases hit 6-month high 2 days before Games open

‘What we have worried about is now actually happening,’ says Japan Medical Association President Toshio Nakagawa

President of the Japan Community Health Care Organization Shigeru Omi attends a joint news conference with Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Japan’s response to the coronavirus outbreak at Suga’s official residence in Tokyo. (Issei Kato/AP)
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts during the second half of Game 6 of basketball’s NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns in Milwaukee, Tuesday, July 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Milwaukee’s 50-year wait ends with NBA title behind 50 from Giannis

Bucks beat Phoenix Suns 105-98 in Game 6 of league finals

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts during the second half of Game 6 of basketball’s NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns in Milwaukee, Tuesday, July 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Sixty athletes selected as 2021 Save-On-Foods Fueling Sport ambassadors. (Black Press Media graphic)

60 Canadian athletes chosen as ambassadors in Save-On-Foods fueling sport initiative

‘We look forward to supporting them pursue their goals from their local hometowns to the international stage’

Sixty athletes selected as 2021 Save-On-Foods Fueling Sport ambassadors. (Black Press Media graphic)
Canada forward Miranda Ayim battles for the ball against United States guard Shatori Walker (9) during first half gold medal action at the Pan American Games in Toronto on Monday, July 20, 2015. Women’s basketball player Miranda Ayim and men’s rugby sevens player Nathan Hirayama have been named Canada’s flag-bearers for the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Ayim, Hirayama named Canada’s flag-bearers for Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony

Women’s basketball player Miranda Ayim and men’s rugby sevens player Nathan Hirayama have been named Canada’s flag-bearers

Canada forward Miranda Ayim battles for the ball against United States guard Shatori Walker (9) during first half gold medal action at the Pan American Games in Toronto on Monday, July 20, 2015. Women’s basketball player Miranda Ayim and men’s rugby sevens player Nathan Hirayama have been named Canada’s flag-bearers for the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Gabriel Rodriguez is one of four people who have been arrested after more than a dozen weapons and hundreds of rounds of ammunition were seized at a downtown Denver hotel close to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. (Denver Police/AP)

3 men arrested near All-Star Game facing federal gun charges

The suspects were arrested with more than a dozen weapons and hundreds of rounds of ammunition at a Denver hotel near the site

Gabriel Rodriguez is one of four people who have been arrested after more than a dozen weapons and hundreds of rounds of ammunition were seized at a downtown Denver hotel close to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. (Denver Police/AP)
The CN Tower is seen as the Toronto Blue Jays take on the Detroit Tigers in Toronto Saturday, May 7, 2011.

Toronto Blue Jays get government approval to return to Canada, starting July 30

The team says it will begin playing its home games at Rogers Centre starting July 30

The CN Tower is seen as the Toronto Blue Jays take on the Detroit Tigers in Toronto Saturday, May 7, 2011.
The Toronto Blue Jays participate in a batting practice at Summer Training Camp in Toronto, Sunday, July 19, 2020. Ontario’s sports minister has asked the federal government to allow the Toronto Blue Jays to play in Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

Ontario asks federal government to open border for Toronto Blue Jays

Canada’s deputy chief public health officer said the Blue Jays’ return to Canadian soil is trending in a very good direction’

The Toronto Blue Jays participate in a batting practice at Summer Training Camp in Toronto, Sunday, July 19, 2020. Ontario’s sports minister has asked the federal government to allow the Toronto Blue Jays to play in Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
Canada’s Steven Vitoria (5) kicks the ball next to Haiti’s Frantzdy Pierrot (20) during the second half of a World Cup qualifying soccer match Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Bridgeview, Ill. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Kamil Krzaczynski

Haiti missing 7 players due to COVID-19 ahead of Canada game at Gold Cup

Canada will face a depleted Haiti at the Gold Cup on Thursday

Canada’s Steven Vitoria (5) kicks the ball next to Haiti’s Frantzdy Pierrot (20) during the second half of a World Cup qualifying soccer match Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Bridgeview, Ill. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Kamil Krzaczynski
American League’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr., of the Toronto Blue Jays, runs out his solo home run during the third inning of the MLB All-Star baseball game, Tuesday, July 13, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Blue Jays slugger Guerrero named MVP as AL rolls to 5-2 win in MLB All-Star Game

Toronto star rips 468-foot homer, Ohtani earns pitching victory

American League’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr., of the Toronto Blue Jays, runs out his solo home run during the third inning of the MLB All-Star baseball game, Tuesday, July 13, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Children sing the national anthem with members of team Canada before the first half of the FIFA Women’s World Cup round of 16 soccer action in Vancouver on Sunday, June 21, 2015. Canada’s soccer fields, tennis courts and swimming pools are reopening after the pandemic, but a new study finds that many girls across the country may not go back to the sports they loved. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Thousands of Canadian girls not committed to playing sports post-COVID: study

Girls aged six-12 reported missing friends as the top impact of not being involved in sport due to COVID

Children sing the national anthem with members of team Canada before the first half of the FIFA Women’s World Cup round of 16 soccer action in Vancouver on Sunday, June 21, 2015. Canada’s soccer fields, tennis courts and swimming pools are reopening after the pandemic, but a new study finds that many girls across the country may not go back to the sports they loved. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos holds up the Stanley Cup as the team celebrates their Stanley Cup victory with a boat parade Monday, July 12, 2021 in Tampa, Fla. (Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times via AP)

Lightning dent Stanley Cup after another Tampa boat parade

Stanley Cup will go to Montreal after all, albeit only for some repairs

Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos holds up the Stanley Cup as the team celebrates their Stanley Cup victory with a boat parade Monday, July 12, 2021 in Tampa, Fla. (Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times via AP)