Olympic spying: NZ report Canada over drone

PARIS — New Zealand have lodged a formal complaint to the IOC, alleging that a Canadian soccer “support staff member” flew a drone over their training session in Saint-Étienne on Monday.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) said in a statement that Canada has issued an apology, while the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) said it was “shocked and disappointed” by the incident and has launched an investigation.

The COC said the individual has been detained by French authorities.

Canada, who are the reigning Olympic gold medallists, are scheduled to kick off the women’s tournament against New Zealand at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on Thursday.

“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 NZOC said in a statement.

“The NZOC has formally lodged the incident with the IOC integrity unit and has asked Canada for a full review.

“Team Canada has issued an apology and is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

The NZOC added that it was “deeply shocked,” saying it was a matter of “integrity and fairness.”

For their part, Canada has said it was also stunned.

The COC said it was made aware that a “non-accredited” member of its support team had used a drone to record the Silver Ferns’ practice.

“The Canadian Olympic Committee stands for fair-play and we are shocked and disappointed. We offer our heartfelt apologies to New Zealand Football, to all the players affected, and to the New Zealand Olympic Committee.”

It added it was “reviewing next steps” with the IOC, the Paris organising committee and FIFA.