World Sailing approves alternative events for Paris 2024

World Sailing's Council have unanimously approved a regulatory amendment to enable alternative event(s) to the Mixed Two Person Offshore Keelboat, for sailing's 10th medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games to be proposed.

Following a request from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for such proposals, World Sailing's Board published a Submission to temporarily amend the World Sailing Regulations on 17 April 2021 and called a Council meeting for today [23 April 2021] to consider the Submission.

World Sailing's Council unanimously approved the submission during a video conference, which will allow decisions to be made at the 2021 Mid-Year Meeting.

World Sailing's process commenced on 16 April 2021 after the IOC informed World Sailing that the Mixed Offshore Event proposal has continued to be reviewed, consistent with the approach taken for other sports, but challenges existed in the areas of:

Field of Play security, scope and complexity, broadcast cost and complexity and World Sailing not having the opportunity to deliver an Offshore World Championship

The IOC are continuing their assessment of the Mixed Offshore Event to address these points, however formally requested that World Sailing propose alternative event(s).

David Graham, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We remain hopeful that our proposed offshore event is accepted, and were disappointed to be informed by the IOC that there are still challenges to approve the Mixed Offshore event for Paris 2024.

"Mixed Offshore remains our first choice for Paris 2024 but we have responded quickly to the IOC's request for alternate events. Our community of volunteers within our Committees and Working Groups have acted at pace, collaboratively dedicating their time to our sport, and following this process outlined by our Board.

"They are clearly working very hard in the best interests of our sport, which we really appreciate. Today's unanimous Council decision marks the first milestone in a new process for us."

World Sailing Processes

MNAs, Class Associations, Committee Chairs and the Board were invited to propose alternatives in the form of late submissions for the Mid-Year Meeting on 17 April 2021. This will conclude at midday on 26 April 2021.

Any late submission must be in the respect of the replacement event only (and not any associated Regulatory changes), and the alternative event proposal must adhere to criteria framework.

Late Submissions will be published on the World Sailing website on 30 April 2021.

At the 2021 Mid-Year Meeting, the Constitution, Events and Equipment Committees will meet on 10-11 May 2021. They will consider the late submissions on alternative event(s) and make their respective recommendations to Council.

World Sailing's Council will meet on 14 May 2021. They will discuss and vote on all submissions. The outcome of the process will be two alternative events, ranked in order of preference, ahead of the IOC deadline, which is 26 May 2021.