The best Toronto Star sports photos for 2021

Live sports in front of fans slowly made a slow return in 2021 and the Toronto Star’s top photographers were there to capture the action. We selected a few of our favorites in no particular order, and the photographers explained how they captured the shot and their memories of it.

Rick Madonik: When Julia Grosso scored the goal from the penalty shoot-out on August 6 that gave Canada the Olympic gold medal over Sweden in women’s soccer, the players who watched it erupted in joy and jubilation. Although it was important to document the goal, I kept my attention on the watching players, knowing that they would tell the story. Just when I saw their faces light up (there were no people in the place to warn me if there was a goal or a save), I squeezed the shutter for a burst of four or five frames. Initially, they lined up very well, but the graphic element of the image changed when they started their celebration.

Steve Russell: Sometimes I wonder if I feel the same level of exhilaration when capturing a fantastic play as the player. We both tried to play it cool, you won’t see me clenching my fist or letting out a primal scream after capturing a play as Maple Leafs goalkeeper Jack Campbell stealing Oliver Bjorkstrand from the Columbus Blue Jackets with a quick glove on Dec. 7. Campbell did. But I hope he’s been celebrating inside, like me, just for a couple of seconds, before we both focus on the next play, the puck dropping into the left circle head-to-head.

Richard Lautens: It was a strange feeling to be back at BMO Field for the first time this year on July 17. A quarter of the fans, all primarily healthcare workers, were in the stands and the venue was strangely quiet for the TFC-Orlando game. It was great to see different sports teams come up with something close to normal. In this photo, Toronto FC goalkeeper Alex Bono looks back but the ball missed the net.

Steve Russell: The Toronto Blue Jays called three different ballparks home, slowly migrating north from Dunedin to Buffalo and eventually Roger’s Center. The team also rose through the ranks and needed to win its final game on Oct. 3 against Baltimore to make the playoffs, but it also needed help from others. The Blue Jays won, but watched on the JumboTron as the Red Sox beat the Nationals to end Toronto’s postseason hopes. Blue Jays fans were left a bit dejected and emotionally drained by all of this.

Richard Lautens: The stands were packed on December 5 at BMO Field in Toronto with Hamilton fans for the CFL East Divison final between the Ticats and Argos. It was fun having wild cheers no matter what happened in a play. Because Argos seemed unable to complete passes, particularly in the end zone, this first half seemed to sum up his problems. Hamilton’s defensive back Ciante Evans interrupts a pass attempt to Argonauts wide receiver Juwan Brescacin to thwart another series.

Steve Russell: The jubilation that Justin Champagnie, center, shared with Gary Trent Jr. and Scottie Barnes after sinking what appeared to be the winner of the game against Oklahoma on Dec. 8 was one of the best celebratory photos of the Raptors I’ve ever taken. But then my gaze drifted to the officials who were walking to the scoring table to watch the bang-bang spike rebound. I took a quick look at the back of my camera and saw that Champagnie’s fingertips were still touching the ball as the board lit up, signaling the end of the game. In the end, there was dejection for Champagnie, but also for me. Like your suggestion, my chance at that great moment wouldn’t count, either.

Rick Madonik: Maude Charron’s first uprisings on July 27 looked like a hot knife sliding through butter. Easy. During the lift that secured him the Olympic gold medal, the excitement finally came out. With the bar firmly over his head, he let out a cry. When the green lights indicated a successful lift, he dropped the barbell to the floor and his hands immediately went to his face. The bar bounced a bit awkwardly, which only helped put some tension on the image. It was, perhaps, one of my favorite Tokyo 2020 moments.

Richard Lautens: Bo Bichette is a pleasure to photograph. The Blue Jays shortstop is extremely athletic, a complete player who plays with great enthusiasm and fun. It was early August, the Blue Jays were playing the Red Socks and the fans were there to cheer. It seemed as if something had returned to normal. The bleachers weren’t at full capacity on Aug. 6 due to COVID, but there was still power and the Blue Jays seemed to feel it, finally leading 12-4. Here Bichette throws himself at the plate after being pushed by Teoscar Hernández for the race.

Steve Russell: When a team loses a player like Kyle Lowry, someone the city identifies with, it leaves questions about who will grow up to fill that role. That question was answered in the first preseason game at home on Oct. 4 with a dunk followed by a yell from Toronto Raptors rookie Scottie Barnes. Barnes’ show of excitement almost seemed to be his declaration of “We The North” to Raptor fans who are hoping that he is the player to take Lowry’s place.

Rick Madonik: After the sheer joy of winning the Olympic gold medal and the chaotic celebration that followed, members of the women’s soccer team began video calling, texting, or calling friends and family to share their special moment. For me, it was a bit of Vancouver 2010 déjà vu after the women’s hockey gold win when the players returned to the ice with cigars and champagne in hand. About 15 minutes after the medal ceremony, and the players were still hanging out, I started making noise to the other photographers about how all the players had to go back to the locker room so we could be busy with the presentation. They didn’t and we all agreed that we were done with the photos and we left together. That way, if something happened, one of us wouldn’t be left with “the” image. Either we all have a chance to get it, or we agree to leave it alone. Sometimes we just have to go feed the machine.