The classes and events that should be in the Olympics is always a contentious topic. Every type of dinghy, keelboat or board has its fans, and they will argue the point for its inclusion with fervour.
In reality, the classes themselves aren’t what are referenced in Olympic broadcasts and results. Instead it’s the discipline which the athletes compete in, and right now that is being decided for the 2032 Games and possibly beyond.
I have a question for you: Should what happens in the Olympics be representative of what you and I do in our everyday sailing? It’s not just sailing where this is a contentious debate. Sport in general, and the various governing bodies, debate whether what we see at the Olympics should reflect what the viewers do themselves, continually. On one side you have accessibility and participation while on the other end of the scale you have elite entertainment and extreme athleticism.
Source: Sail World, by Mark Jardine 14 Oct 13:30 UTC
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