What They're Saying

"I am an Afghan woman, and as a representative of Afghan women, I ask you to help me. My intention is to participate in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Please hold my hand and help me" -- Afghan para-taekwondo athlete Zakia Khudadadi, after being denied the opportunity to be the first female athlete from Afghanistan to compete at the Paralympics (KYODO, 8/18).

"Obviously big sporting events are so-called super-spreader events, so it would be a very difficult situation to manage. ... The AFL has been outstanding and worked co-operatively. Hopefully, we work out an arrangement that works for all of us ... but we’re not going to compromise and the AFL appreciates that" -- Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan, on the Australian Football League's grand final, which is scheduled to be played in Melbourne next month (THE AGE, 8/18).