Sailing Program Decisions for Paris 2024

The future of sailing as an Olympic sport was a hot topic at the Rio 2016 Games, with extensive discussion as to what the Events and Equipment would be in four years.

The plan to continue with the same program from 2016 to 2020 had been previously approved, but with the International Olympic Committee putting on the pressure to balance gender participation and heighten fan interest, all bets were now off.

But continuity for nations and athletes is critical too, so World Sailing made the decision in November 2016 to hold firm with the existing 10 Events and Equipment for the next Games. However, it was widely assumed the slate for Paris 2024 would be different.

World Sailing is now taking steps toward that decision, which includes selecting the type of Events (ie, Men’s One Person Dinghy) and the Equipment to be used for the Events (ie, Laser). Here is their update on the process:

In 2018, World Sailing will make a number of important decisions concerning the Events and Equipment that will be used at the Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing Competition in Marseille, France.

To ensure a joined up and efficient approach to the decision-making process, World Sailing’s Board of Directors appointed a joint Procedure Working Party of the Events Committee, Equipment Committee and Constitution Committee.

The Working Party is responsible for advising on the procedures and Regulations that should be followed in deciding the 2024 Olympic Events and Equipment.

The Events Committee will debate electronically which Events will be placed under review and a recommendation will be given to World Sailing’s Council for approval by January 31.

By February 19 2018, World Sailing’s Council will vote electronically on approving the Events Committee recommendation and if approved, the list of Events placed under review will be published.

If World Sailing’s Council rejects the Events Committee recommendation, Council can debate which Events it wishes to place under review. They will vote electronically on which Events to place under review and the list will be published.

In addition, under new Regulations approved by World Sailing’s Council in November, the Board of Directors will decide what Olympic Equipment is being reviewed in accordance with World Sailing’s anti-trust review procedures by January 8 2018.

In advance of World Sailing’s Mid-Year Meetings, set to be held in London, Great Britain in May, World Sailing will invite submissions, proposed changes to World Sailing’s regulations, from Member National Authorities, World Sailing Class Associations, the Board, the Chairmen of Committees established by Council, International or Recognized Rating Systems, the Chairman of the Women’s Forum and the President.

The deadline for submissions is Monday 19 March 2018.

The Events Committee will meet on 12 May with the Equipment Committee following on 13 May. World Sailing’s Council, the policy-making body, will meet on 14 and 15 May to make the final decision on the Events, the name of the competition, based-on advice from the expert committees.

After World Sailing’s Council has decided the Events for 2024, the Equipment Committee will review the Equipment for the Events which were placed under review. The Events & Equipment Working Party will discuss the options and provide guidance to the Equipment Committee.

Submissions on equipment can also be made to the November 2018 meetings proposing decisions in the same manner and if new equipment is to be selected, evaluation trials must be held.

By no later than November 2019, World Sailing’s Council will decide on any new equipment used for 2024.

The International Olympic Committee is expected to confirm the event programme for the 2024 Olympic Games in the autumn of 2020.

For a list of Frequently Asked Questions on this topic… click here.