Sailing moves to be included in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Sports

Sailing's application met core requirements of the IPC Handbook including compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code, IPC Athlete Classification Code, quadrennial competition calendar and worldwide reach.

Sailing will have until 9 July to complete an application pack that features a series of questions that aim to give the IPC detailed information regarding governance, rules and regulations, associated costs, anti-doping programme compliance and activities, worldwide reach, quadrennial competition programme and procedures to ensure athlete welfare.

Following a thorough review of all applications, including full agreement from the IOC and Paris 2024, the IPC Governing Board will announce its final decision on the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games sport programme in January 2019.

World Sailing President Kim Andersen commented, "Moving to the second phase of the application process demonstrates that the International Paralympic Committee have recognised World Sailing's commitment to increase growth of the sport.

"World Sailing has embraced the vision of the IPC to enable Paralympic athletes to achieve sporting excellent and inspire and excite the world.

"Our Para World Sailing initiatives and integration are not just about trying to re-gain inclusion into the Paralympic Sports Programme, but are deeply rooted beliefs within our sport. We need to have inclusive societies, with fully accessible environments that celebrate the capabilities of people with impairments to start sporting activities and to promote safe and fair participation.

"Everyone at World Sailing will continue to work tirelessly to support Para World Sailing and the work of the IPC and we will put forward an outstanding case for the sports re-inclusion this year."

Sailing was removed from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Sports Programme in January 2015. Following this news, World Sailing has accelerated the growth of the sport through initiatives such as the Paralympic Development Programme that culminated in more than 80 sailors from 37 nations and five continents racing across three events at the 2017 Para World Sailing Championships.

Further investment and development in Para World Sailing continues with World Sailing's shipping and logistics partner, GAC Pindar, actively supporting reinstatement initiatives.

Germany's three-time Paralympic medallist, Jens Kroker, was elected to World Sailing's Athletes' Commission earlier this month, becoming the first Para World Sailing representative in the commission.

At the 2017 Annual Conference in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, World Sailing's Council unanimously approved the full integration of the Para World Sailing Championships into future editions of the Sailing World Championships, the single largest World Sailing event, from 2022 onwards.

Events and equipment for 2018 were also approved at the 2018 Annual Conference. Contributing factors on the decisions comprised of the need to include athletes with a high-level disability, help grow participating nations as well as ensuring there was both a live spectator and media appeal.

The following events and formats will be seen throughout 2018:

- Person Keelboat (Technical) - Open Gender - 2.4 Norling OD - fleet racing with a Medal Race

- Single Person Keelboat (Non-Technical) - Male - Hansa 303 - Short course fleet racing, supplied boat with a Medal Race

- Single Person Keelboat (Non-Technical) - Female - Hansa 303 - Short course fleet racing, supplied boat with a Medal Race

- Two Person Keelboat - Open Gender - RS Venture Connect - Short course fleet racing, supplied boat with late stage knockouts. The winner of the final race will win the event

The Paralympic Development Programme will continue in 2018 with regional clinics planned to help increase participants' knowledge and understanding of the sport. These clinics will be complemented by a world class series of events.

Sailing's World Cup Series will feature Para World Sailing, the European Para Championships will head to Kiel, Germany before Sheboygan, USA welcomes competitors for the 2018 World Championships.