World Sailing has begun its bid to reinstate sailing as an event at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.\u00a0The \u2018Back the Bid\u2019 #SailtoLA campaign, launched today, hopes to see sailing return to the Paralympic Games.
\nSailing was first introduced to the Paralympics in 1996 as a demonstration sport, growing to two full events at the Sydney Paralympics four years later.
\nA one-person keelboat and a three-person keelboat event were selected, using the 2.4mR and the Sonar for Sydney 2000.
\nSince then a two-person keelboat event was added for the Beijing Paralympics in 2008 \u2013 the purpose designed Skud 18
\nSailing continued to be represented in the Paralympics until Rio in 2016, but was not competed for at the Tokyo Games and a previous bid to have it reinstalled for Paris 2024 was unsuccessful.
\nThe reason given by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for removing sailing from its Paralympics sports line up was a lack of global reach, with too few countries taking part in the sport at this level.
\nInternational Federation World Sailing\u2019s bid to have the sport reinstated will focus on diversity, inclusion, affordability, development, and increasing the number of open and Para sailing events around the world.
\nDavid Graham, CEO of World Sailing has said: \u201cOver the past five years, the number of nations with Para sailors participating in international Para sailing competitions has increased by 30%. Our international Para sailing athletes are some of the most accomplished sailors in the world.\u201d
\nRory McKinna backs Paralympic bid
\nThe federation hopes to increase the number of participating countries to 45 and improve the gender balance of the participants. Their current goal is to ensure 30% of the athletes are women but ultimately hope to achieve parity across the sport.
\nThe launch of \u2018Back the Bid\u2019 #SailtoLA campaign is supported by renowned global sailors and leading figures in the sport.
\nHannah Stodel, who represented Great Britain at four Paralympics and won three World Championships in the Sonar class, commented: \u201cFor me, sailing deserves to be back in the Paralympics \u2013 it\u2019s truly an inclusive sport that allows anyone to leave their disability on the dock and experience freedom. There is no greater privilege than representing your country at the Paralympic Games, and I will keep fighting to see those opportunities back for the young sailors coming up through the ranks.\u201d<\/p>\n
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World Sailing has begun its bid to reinstate sailing as an event at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.\u00a0The \u2018Back the Bid\u2019 #SailtoLA campaign, launched today, hopes to see sailing return to the Paralympic Games. Sailing was first introduced to … <\/p>\n