Just days after the decision by the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) not to include sailing in the sporting programme for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games comes news that American Olympic hopefuls are to get extra funding.
The Olympics and Paralympics have provided a successful platform for showcasing sailing talent and increasing participation. Following sailing success at the 2012 London Games the UK witnessed a 10% increase in the number of people taking up sailing.
In America Paul Cayard, the US Olympian and director of the AmericaOne Foundation a challenger for the Americas Cup is behind is organisations gift of US$5m to launch a new initiative for developing Olympic sailors by taking long-term view to developing US sailors into Olympic medalists. “AmericaOne is determined to do what it can to help the USA return to the Olympic podium,” he said
Top winning nations in sailing around the world share the common trait of a well-formed talent development system.
Providing training/racing opportunities with world-class coaching and the highest level of technical standards are the core principles of the initiative, Josh Adams, managing director of US Olympic Sailing, hopes the program will allow young sailors to begin sailing in “high-performance boats earlier in their development, as well as building well-rounded sailors with complete skill sets.”
Adams added that details on the Olympic Development Program will be announced by US Sailing in coming months.
In the UK The British Marine Federation is very concerned at the loss of such a powerful tool as the Para Olympics for raising the profile of British sailing and other boating activities. It is disappointed at the loss of such a unique platform for inspiring those with disabilities to take up the sport of sailing and has offered support its support to the Royal Yacht Association (RYA), the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) and other national organisations in their discussions to seek further recourse.