Seven female taekwondo athletes who fled Afghanistan following the Taliban’s resurgence have successfully resettled in Melbourne, Australia. Heather Garriock, CEO of Australian Taekwondo, confirmed on Wednesday that the athletes are currently completing their quarantine. While most of the women remain unnamed, none were slated to compete in the Tokyo Olympics. The evacuation was orchestrated through a collaborative effort involving former Australian soccer captain Craig Foster, the Australian government, Australian Taekwondo, and Oceania Taekwondo. Garriock emphasized the high-risk nature of the operation, though specific details were not disclosed. The Taliban has since declared that women will no longer be permitted to participate in sports, further underscoring the urgency of the athletes’ escape. Garriock expressed profound gratitude to the Australian government and Oceania Taekwondo for their pivotal roles in ensuring the women’s safety. ‘The lives of these women were in danger,’ she stated. ‘As a sport, we needed to pull together and do something to help.’ One of the athletes, Fatima Ahmadi, shared her relief and gratitude, saying, ‘I feel so good about arriving in Australia. We are safe here without any danger.’ The resettlement of these athletes follows a broader trend of Afghan female athletes, including members of the women’s soccer team, receiving visas to live in Australia. The Taliban’s return to power in mid-August has led to the erosion of women’s rights across Afghanistan, with many being barred from employment in both public and private sectors.
标签： Oceania
大洋洲
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Fiji men, New Zealand women perfect in Oceania Sevens event
In a commanding display of skill and strategy, Fiji’s men’s rugby sevens team and New Zealand’s women’s side emerged undefeated at the Oceania Sevens tournament, the final major preparatory event before the Tokyo Olympics. Held in Townsville, Australia, the tournament saw Fiji’s men secure a flawless record, including a decisive 33-5 victory over the Oceania Barbarians and a 17-7 win against New Zealand. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s women’s team maintained their dominance with six consecutive wins, defeating Fiji 27-12 and overpowering Australia twice with scores of 34-5 and 26-5. Despite playing on home soil, Australia’s women’s team struggled, finishing with a 3-3 record. Head coach John Manenti acknowledged the team’s efforts, stating, ‘We worked really hard and made them work hard for their tries… we asked a few questions to them and probably should have asked a couple more.’ The tournament served as a critical warm-up for the upcoming Olympics, where 12 teams will compete in both the men’s and women’s rugby sevens events. The men’s tournament will run from July 26-28, followed by the women’s from July 29-31, with all matches taking place at Tokyo Stadium, a venue familiar to rugby fans after hosting key matches during the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
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Kerevi preparing to play 7s for Australia at Tokyo Olympics
Former Wallabies center Samu Kerevi has made a significant move by returning from Japan to pursue a place in Australia’s rugby sevens team for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. The 27-year-old midfielder, who has previously played 33 tests for Australia, including a prominent role in the 2019 Rugby World Cup, has been included in the squad for the Oceania Championship in Townsville, Queensland. The tournament, scheduled for June 25-27, will feature matches against Olympic champion Fiji, New Zealand, and an Oceania Barbarians team. Kerevi’s inclusion marks his first selection in the sevens format, alongside the return of Lewis Holland, Lachlan Anderson, and Tim Anstee from their Super Rugby commitments. Head coach Tim Walsh emphasized Kerevi’s potential as an impact player, citing his powerful ball-running and tackling abilities. Despite his lack of experience in sevens rugby, Kerevi has been training rigorously, even during his two-week quarantine, to adapt to the faster-paced game. Walsh noted that Kerevi’s presence has already elevated the team’s dynamics, though no guarantees have been made regarding his Olympic selection. The Oceania Championship will serve as a crucial preparatory event for the Tokyo Olympics, where the men’s rugby sevens tournament begins on July 26. This will be Fiji’s first competition in over a year due to COVID-19 restrictions, while New Zealand recently hosted a series with Australian sevens teams. The women’s tournament will also feature Australia’s Olympic champion squad, New Zealand, and Fiji, providing a final opportunity for teams to fine-tune their strategies ahead of the Games.
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Cruise giant Norwegian threatens to skip Florida’s ports
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, headquartered in Miami, has issued a stern warning to Florida, threatening to relocate its ships following Governor Ron DeSantis’s enactment of a law prohibiting businesses from mandating proof of COVID-19 vaccination. The company argues that this state legislation conflicts with federal health guidelines, which permit cruise operations in U.S. waters provided nearly all passengers and crew are vaccinated. CEO Frank Del Rio emphasized the tension between state and federal jurisdictions, stating, “Lawyers believe federal law supersedes state law, but we hope this doesn’t escalate into a legal or political battle.” Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, which also owns Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, is exploring alternative bases in other states or the Caribbean if Florida remains inhospitable. Del Rio revealed these plans during the company’s quarterly earnings call, expressing optimism that a resolution could still be reached through ongoing discussions with DeSantis’s office. The governor’s recent executive order and subsequent legislation, which also grants him authority to override local pandemic-related measures, were framed as efforts to protect individual freedoms and privacy. However, the cruise industry, which has been grounded in U.S. waters since March 2020, is eager to resume operations. Federal guidelines from the CDC allow vaccinated cruises to bypass trial voyages and commence regular trips, provided 98% of crew and 95% of passengers are vaccinated. Despite these challenges, Norwegian reported a surge in bookings, signaling potential recovery by early 2022, even as the company posted a $1.37 billion loss in the first quarter of 2021.
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Nine host cities announced for 2023 Women’s World Cup
The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is set to make history as the first-ever tournament co-hosted by two nations from different confederations—Australia and New Zealand. Spanning nine cities across the two countries, the event will kick off at Auckland’s iconic Eden Park and culminate with the final at Sydney’s Stadium Australia. The semifinals will be divided between the two host nations, reflecting a format previously seen in events like the 2015 Cricket World Cup, which was also jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand. This groundbreaking tournament will feature an expanded lineup of 32 teams, up from 24 in the 2019 edition held in France, where the U.S. women’s national team emerged as champions. FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the event’s potential to inspire and transform women’s football globally, building on the success of the 2019 tournament. The host cities and stadiums include Adelaide’s Hindmarsh Stadium, Brisbane Stadium, Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, and Wellington’s Te Whanganui-a-Tara-Wellington Stadium, among others. The full schedule is expected to be announced later this year, following an eight-month selection process involving member federations from both countries.
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Tight bight, small city: Virus sidelines ship, creates buzz
The small coastal town of Eastport, Maine, with a population of just 1,300, has become the temporary home to the Oceania Riviera, a massive cruise ship that towers over the community. The ship’s arrival highlights the challenges cruise companies face in finding docking locations during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has halted global cruise operations since mid-March. Chris Gardner, director of the Port of Eastport, likened the situation to a game of musical chairs, questioning where these ships can go when the music stops. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has banned cruises in U.S. waters until July 24, leaving thousands of crew members stranded at sea. While some Eastport residents initially feared the ship’s crew might introduce the virus to the area, these concerns were alleviated as crew members are not permitted to disembark. The Oceania Riviera, nearly 800 feet long and accompanied by a crew of 131, is being kept in a “warm layup” state, meaning it remains operational but without passengers. Eastport’s maritime facility, rebuilt in 2017 after its Breakwater Pier collapsed, is uniquely suited to host such a large vessel. The town, once known as the nation’s sardine capital, is now embracing the ship’s presence. Local businesses, including a waterfront restaurant that sold out of fish due to increased visitors, are benefiting from the unexpected influx of attention. Kevin Raye, president of the local chamber of commerce, described the ship as “magnificent” and a potential lifeline for struggling small businesses. While some residents are less enthusiastic, many local leaders hope this visit will pave the way for future cruise ship tourism, generating goodwill and revenue for the town.