Following recent discussions with the IOC, President Croce had considered proposing a larger sailing format but is now willing to continue with the existing system of 10 events at Tokyo 2020. 

During a meeting of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Council in 2013, members voted to retain the 10 Olympic sailing events that were scheduled to take place at Rio 2016 for Tokyo 2020.

At a meeting of the ISAF Council back in 2011 members voted to change the Olympic programme for Rio 2016, leading to the introduction of two new events, a women's 49erFX competition and a new two-person mixed multihull event, Nacra 17.

The two disciplines replaced the men's Star class and the Elliot 6m women's match racing event, which only made its debut at London 2012.

World Sailing will continue, however, to pursue the possibility of an 11th medal at Tokyo 2020, despite the IOC maintaining its position that the total number of athletes must remain at 380.

If obtained, it is believed that the extra medal will go to a kiteboarding event.

Kiteboarding was briefly added Olympic programme for Rio 2016 only for the controversial decision for it to replace windsurfing to be over turned. 

Delegates blamed the move on confusion due to language difficulties and had been lobbying to get the decision overturned. 

World Sailing is also exploring the possibility of a showcase sailing event in Tokyo, however if agreed the competition would take the existing maximum athlete quota over the limit.

"The Board believes this strategy best protects existing investments and programmes, whilst enabling World Sailing to demonstrate innovation to the IOC," read a World Sailing statement.

They added: "The Board will continue to support changes in format and fleet sizes to best meet the objectives of the IOC's Agenda 2020.

"These decisions will be made in accordance with normal World Sailing processes."

Croce is currently in the midst of a campaign to retain his Presidency of the governing body.

The Italian will face opposition from Denmark's Kim Andersen and Canada's Paul Henderson at the body's Annual Conference, which started in Barcelona last Friday (November 4). 

The Conference, taking place at the Renaissance Fira Hotel, is billed as a "central meeting point where the strategy of sailing is reviewed, discussed and celebrated".

Up to 700 delegates will attend the annual event in which the election is scheduled for Sunday (November 13).

Croce, whose manifesto is entitled A New Era for World Sailing, has so far received nominations from 45 Member Associations.