Eiffel Tower Evacuated Hours Before Olympic Closing Ceremony
Paris, France - In a dramatic turn of events, the Eiffel Tower was evacuated on Sunday after a shirtless man was spotted scaling the iconic landmark. The incident occurred just hours before the Olympic closing ceremony was set to take place in the French city.
According to eyewitnesses, the man was seen climbing the 1,083ft tower at around 3 pm local time, prompting police to immediately respond and escort visitors away from the base of the structure. Some visitors were reportedly locked on the second floor of the structure over safety fears but were allowed to exit the monument around 30 minutes later.
Image: Police evacuate the Eiffel Tower in Paris
The security services in Paris were already on high alert ahead of the closing ceremony, and this incident only added to the tension. It is unclear where the man began his ascent, but onlookers flagged his presence just above the first viewing deck on Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, in other news, the Edmonton Oilers have reloaded and appear to be in store for a massive 2024-25 season after falling a game short of a Stanley Cup championship only months ago. However, they will be facing plenty of pressure in what is another Stanley Cup or bust-type season.
Oilers Rebuild and Reload
The Oilers were able to add some great talent in free agency, while also bringing back plenty of their pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs). However, the team still has several questions facing them as they prepare to enter what is the biggest season yet with this core group.
One of the biggest questions surrounding the Oilers is the future of Leon Draisaitl. The 28-year-old, who is coming off of his fifth season with more than 100 points, is set to enter the final year of his contract. Reports are suggesting that a deal will get worked out between the two sides, though anything can happen in the NHL.
Another issue facing the Oilers is their salary cap situation. The team currently sits roughly $340,000 above the NHL’s maximum salary cap, which could result in management being forced to move a player before the season begins. The most obvious candidate is Cody Ceci, who is entering the final year of his contract which carries a $3.25 million cap hit.
However, the Oilers’ new additions, Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson, have given fans hope that this could be the year they finally bring home the Stanley Cup.
Image: Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers have yet to win a Stanley Cup through McDavid’s first nine years in the NHL. It’s a frustrating scenario given that the 27-year-old has not only established himself as the best player in the league, but one of the best of all time. Not winning a Cup with him would be a travesty, and this coming season serves as their best opportunity yet.
The 2024-25 season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory, with the Oilers looking to finally bring home the championship. With their new additions and a healthy lineup, the sky’s the limit for this team.
Image Gallery
Image: Police evacuate the Eiffel Tower in Paris * Image: Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers
