Tom Ramshaw: Proud to be a Canadian

When Canada became the first nation to say that its athletes would not compete at Tokyo 2020 if the Games go ahead as scheduled this summer from July 24 to August 9, it changed the scope of the situation for the International Olympic Committee.

There was no shortage of sports federations and nations promoting postponement, but the Canadian boycott was the strongest statement yet that proceeding amid an international health crisis was irresponsible.

Tom Ramshaw, who thus far had been the only athlete to have completed selection for the Canadian Sailing Team, applauded his country’s decision:

Canadian Olympic Committee has announced it will not send a team to Tokyo this summer due to growing health concerns surrounding COVID-19. As one of Team Canada’s qualified athletes, I am in full support of their decision.

It shows Canada’s position as putting the well-being of their athletes, coaches, and staff as top priority. Now we can only hope the International Olympic Committee has similar values and takes action in postponing the Olympics until a date where it would be safe and fair to host.

Competing in a compromised Olympics would be an insult to the work that we have put in over the past four years.

As for me, I will take this time and use it as an opportunity to bring my fitness and mindset to new heights. I try to stay focused only on the factors that I can control, but I do look forward to the day when I can get back on the water and do the sport that I love.

Fortunately for Ramshaw, a medal contender in the Finn, with Tokyo 2020 as the final Olympics for his class, a postponement to 2021 now appears likely.

TOKYO 2020 Sailing Program
Men’s One Person Dinghy – Laser
Women’s One Person Dinghy – Laser Radial
Men’s Two Person Dinghy – 470
Women’s Two Person Dinghy – 470
Men’s Skiff – 49er
Women’s Skiff – 49erFx
Men’s One Person Dinghy Heavy – Finn
Men’s Windsurfing – RS:X
Women’s Windsurfing – RS:X
Mixed Multihull – Nacra 17

Olympic schedule: July 24 – Aug 9
Sailing schedule: July 26 – Aug 6
Details: https://tokyo2020.org/en/games/schedule/olympic/