Saunders on the podium
Tom Saunders.
Tom Saunders celebrated his return to the world stage with New Zealand's second medal of the short international sailing season, claiming silver in his first major regatta since the Paris Olympics.
The 32-year-old Tauranga sailor won silver in the ILCA 7 (formerly Laser) at the French Olympic Week in Hyeres yesterday, climbing to second overall with an impressive third placing in the double-points medal race.
It was his first international competition since finishing seventh in his Olympic debut in Marseille last August, having taken a break from racing. — APL
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About 200 countries could send athletes to the Summer Games, including those targeted by the latest travel restrictions. The exceptions should apply to them as well if the ban is still in place in its current form. What about fans? The travel ban doesn't mention any exceptions for fans from the targeted countries wishing to travel to the US for the World Cup or Olympics. Even before the travel ban, fans of the Iran soccer team living in that country already had issues about getting a visa for a World Cup visit. Still, national team supporters often profile differently to fans of club teams who go abroad for games in international competitions like the UEFA Champions League. For many countries, fans traveling to the World Cup — an expensive travel plan with hiked flight and hotel prices — are often from the diaspora, wealthier, and could have different passport options. ADVERTISEMENT A World Cup visitor is broadly higher-spending and lower-risk for host nation security planning. 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