Sailing at the Olympic Games

The 2016 Summer Olympics will the 31st Games, with the first Olympiad held in Athens, Greece in 1896. Sailing was among the 10 events at the 1896 Games, but no racing was held at the 1896 Games or at the 1900 Games. Why?

Answer below.

The Sailing competition at the first Olympiad in 1896 was not held due to bad weather. Sailing has since been staged for each edition of the Games with the exception of the 1904 Games in St Louis, Missouri. The Mississippi River was deemed too small, and despite Chicago being just 300 miles away, politics required all events to be held in St Louis.

Racing for the 10 events at the 2016 Rio Games is staggered between August 8 and 19. Full schedule.