Paralympic Sailing back for Tokyo 2020?

03 Jun 2015

Helena Lucas took Gold in the 2.4mR at the London Olympics – photo: Helena Lucas/RYA

PARALYMPICS: The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has been working with the various National Sailing Organisations, to get sailing reinstated in the Paralympic Games.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) decided on February 3, 2015, not to include sailing on the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games sports programme.

The decision brought universal condemnation from sailors around the world, with Geoff Holt playing a leading part in demanding the reinstatement of sailing in the Paralympic Games as soon as possible.

The ISAF has reconstituted the Disabled Sailing Committee (DSC) by naming Betsy Alison (USA) as the new chairman and introducing five new DSC members from China, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, and David Staley from Australia, as well as applying for IPC membership.

Paralympic class sailing is included in the ISAF Sailing World Cup and ISAF has introduced prize money and broadcast coverage to ensure alignment with the Olympic disciplines and to promote disabled sailing.

On the back of formally taking over the management of disabled sailing, ISAF has made the decision to press the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to add disabled sailing to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games – a decision which Yachting Australia and its Australian Sailing Team strongly support.

See full ISAF statement (1 June 2015): sailing.org/news/40196.php

via Boating Business – Paralympic Sailing back for Tokyo 2020?.