What made us feel good this week

Our columnists look back on news that has delighted them in recent days.




In the Shadow of Summer: Mary-Sophie Harvey and Ilya Kharun

PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, THE PRESS

Canada’s Summer McIntosh won gold in the 200m butterfly at the Paris Olympics on Thursday

Even by her standards, Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh is having an exceptional Olympic Games. Three medals in three individual events, including two golds – and counting. She is on track to be crowned the queen of swimming at the Paris Games, along with King Léon Marchand in the men’s event. But in Summer McIntosh’s shadow, several Canadian swimmers have also put on incredible performances. Including Mary-Sophie Harvey, the first Quebecer since 1996 to compete in an individual Olympic swimming final. The Trois-Rivières athlete finished fourth in the 200-metre freestyle, setting a new Quebec record in the discipline. Think about it: fourth in the world! Swimmer Ilya Kharun, born in Montreal but raised in Las Vegas, also won a bronze medal in the 200-metre butterfly. Bravo!

Vincent Brousseau-Pouliot, The Press

Read the article “Swimming: Summer McIntosh wins gold in 400m individual medley”

A beautiful corner of the fjord

PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, THE PRESS

The Saguenay Fjord, at L’Anse-de-Roche, in the municipality of Sacré-Cœur

The locals will say that it was about time I lit up, but it turns out that I had never been there. The place is called L’Anse-de-Roche. From Tadoussac, you go back up towards Saguenay, then you head inland for a few kilometres. At the end is beauty. A spectacular opening onto the fjord, a dock, several mountain views that overlap all the way to the horizon. There is also a small restaurant called Casta Fjord. That’s good: I always smile at questionable puns. I also smile when I am served salmon tartare with an excellent non-alcoholic beer (the Lunchroom, from the Microbrasserie St-Pancrace) in a postcard setting.

Philippe Mercure, The Press

Banning “fake motorcycles”

PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS

“Like gasoline scooters and motorcycles, these vehicles should have been certified and sold to drive on the road, among cars,” says our columnist.

I admit that the ban on electric vehicles similar to motorcycles and scooters made me happy. I am in favor of the electrification of means of transport, but cohabitation with these fake bikes was far from optimal on cycle paths: they often went fast (32 km/h maximum, really?) and their weight did not give a cyclist much chance in the event of a collision… Like gasoline scooters and motorcycles, these vehicles should have been certified and sold to ride on the road, among cars. Wouldn’t an arrangement be possible to resolve this and avoid throwing the baby out with the bathwater? Speaking of safety on cycle paths, is there no way to calm down these motivated people in cycling shorts who behave as if they were doing the Tour de France in the middle of the city?

Alexandre Vigneault, The Press

Read the text “Non-compliant motorcycles and scooters banned throughout Quebec”

“White Dudes for Harris”

PHOTO WILLY SANJUAN, PROVIDED BY INVISION, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES

Actor Jeff Bridges was among those who came forward this week as the “white dudes for Harris.”

It’s not often that we get a chance to laugh when covering American politics, but a group of Democratic supporters gave us one this week. While Kamala Harris has been subjected to several insulting attacks from some Republican opponents who call her a “diversity and inclusion candidate,” 200,000 white men gathered this week on Zoom to support his candidacy. They dubbed themselves the “White Dudes for Harris.” Among them was… “The Dude” himself, actor Jeff Bridges, who played Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski in the film Tea Big Lebowski. This is a major endorsement for Kamala Harris among white men!

Vincent Brousseau-Pouliot, The Press

Read the article from New York Times “Liberal “White Dudes” Rally for Harris: “It’s Like a Rainbow of Beige””


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