Suspected train sabotage, bad weather dampen spirits ahead of Paris opening ceremony

Published

1 month ago

July 26, 2024

PARIS – The Paris Olympics are getting off to a rough start, with suspected acts of sabotage targeting France’s flagship high-speed rail network.

Outgoing French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said the disruption of France’s rail network on the eve of the Olympics had “a clear objective” of blocking the high-speed train network.

Overcast skies over Paris further dampened the mood, with a rainy forecast for the French capital ahead of its sprawling, ambitious opening ceremony.

Instead of marching into a stadium, representatives from more than 200 competing countries will enter the Games on boats along the River Seine, passing landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame.

Sprinter Andre De Grasse and weightlifter Maude Charron, both Olympic gold medallists, will carry the Canadian flag and lead the Maple Leaf contingent in the floating parade.

About 6,800 athletes will travel on over 90 boats along the six-kilometre route.

Hundreds of thousands of spectators are expected to line the riverbanks.

Pop singers Celine Dion and Lady Gaga, who are both in Paris, are rumoured to be performing.

— With files from The Associated Press

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 26, 2024.

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Canada’s Nathan Clement captures Paralympic cycling silver in time trial

Published

22 mins ago

September 4, 2024

Anne Joseph

PARIS – Canadian cyclist Nathan Clement has won a silver medal at the Paralympic Games in Paris.

The 29-year-old from West Vancouver, B.C., was second in the men’s time trial.

Clement held the second-fastest time throughout the race behind the winner from China.

Clement swam for Canada in the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro before switching to cycling.

The Canadian is the reigning world champion in the T1-2 classification, in which athletes ride three-wheeled bikes for stability.

He earned Canada’s fourth cycling medal in Paris after three bronze in track cycling.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 4, 2024.

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Canada’s Greg Stewart repeats as Paralympic Games shot put champion

Published

25 mins ago

September 4, 2024

Anne Joseph

PARIS – Canada’s Greg Stewart has won a Paralympic Games gold medal in shot put.

The 38-year-old from Kamloops, B.C., threw a distance of 16.38 metres to win the men’s F46 class at the Stade de France in Paris.

The Canadian defended the gold medal he won in Tokyo’s Paralympics three years ago.

Stewart tossed the winner on his second-last throw of the final.

The seven-foot-two thrower retired after Tokyo, but then returned because he missed the sport.

Stewart, who was born without his lower left arm, was a silver medallist at the world championship earlier this year in Japan.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 4, 2024.

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Daddy Yankee’s memoir, ‘ReaDY! The Power To Change Your Story,’ will be out in April

Published

28 mins ago

September 4, 2024

Anne Joseph

NEW YORK (AP) — Latin music superstar Daddy Yankee, the Grammy winning “King of Reggaeton,” hopes his memoir will inspire others to believe in themselves.

HarperCollins Publishers announced Wednesday that it will release Daddy Yankee’s “ReaDY! The Power To Change Your Story” in English and Spanish in April 2025. The 48-year-old rapper, whose many hits include “Gasolina” and “Somos de Calle,” will reflect on his rise from housing projects in Puerto Rico to global stardom.

“ReaDY is a book where I share many personal experiences, life testimonies and lessons I have learned through my walk here on Earth. I hope it will bring you many blessings,” Daddy Yankee said in a statement.

Daddy Yankee, born Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez, retired last year and has said he will dedicate his life to his religious faith. His many honors include six Latin Grammys and eight Billboard music awards.

“Raymond has been inspiring and entertaining millions of people over the past three decades as Daddy Yankee,” said Cris Garrido, a vice president and publisher of HarperCollins’ Spanish-language publishing. “We’re excited to partner with him in this new chapter of his life and career as an author.

“I’ve loved working with Raymond on the book — it reflects the same level of commitment and excellence that he brings to everything he does. The storytelling is rich and captivating, and he does a wonderful job of drawing from his own experiences and life lessons to show readers of all walks of life that we each have the power to change our stories.”

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