Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games Update

The following is a statement from US Sailing, the national governing body for sailing, on the recent update from the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) regarding the decision by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to not include sailing at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

“We are highly disappointed to hear that the IPC has confirmed their decision not to include sailing at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. We believe that sailing is one of the best sports available to disabled athletes worldwide, and we will continue to champion its future inclusion in the Games, assisting ISAF on future reinstatement efforts—for Tokyo 2020 (should the opportunity arise), 2024 and beyond. The sailors who have competed for the United States in the Paralympics, eleven of whom returned with hard-won medals, are heroes in our sport. US Sailing will work hard to ensure that others will have the opportunity to join their ranks in the future.

“We encourage all disabled sailing organizations worldwide to continue their mission. Growth and success within their programs will only strengthen the case to reinstate sailing into the Paralympics. For our part, we will continue to earnestly support US Sailing Team Sperry Paralympic hopefuls in Rio and welcome a large multinational group of disabled athletes to ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami in January. In addition, US Sailing will continue to actively support access to disabled sailing. We will collaborate with the many disabled sailing programs in the United States while sharing materials and experience with other national governing bodies looking to develop or expand their programs for disabled sailors and adaptive sailing techniques and equipment. We greatly appreciate the leadership shown in this situation by ISAF, especially by President Carlo Croce and Vice-President Scott Perry, and stand ready to assist them should there be any opportunity to reverse this decision.”
– Tom Hubbell, President of US Sailing

About US Sailing & The US Sailing Team Sperry

The US Sailing Team Sperry is managed by the United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for the sport of sailing and sailboat racing. The top boats in each Olympic and Paralympic class are selected annually to be members of the US Sailing Team Sperry. US Sailing helps these elite athletes with with financial, logistical, coaching, technical, fitness, marketing and communications support. The title sponsor of the team is Sperry; other sponsors include Gold-Level partner Sunbrella and Silver-Level partners Harken, Team McLube and Groupe Beneteau. Yale Cordage is a team supplier. The US Sailing Center Miami is an Olympic training site. Oakcliff Sailing and Clearwater Community Sailing Center are US Sailing Team Sperry Training Centers. Chubb Personal Insurance sponsors US Sailing’s National Team Tour, a nationwide presentation program for US Sailing Team Sperry athletes. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org/olympics

The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and growth for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US Sailing offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team Sperry. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org