The sport's world governing body, and its 139 Member National Authorities, are asking for letters of support which will be sent to the IPC along with an information package about Paralympic sailing.

The IPC controversially omitted sailing, along with football seven-a-side, from the 2020 Games sports programme at a Governing Board meeting in Abu Dhabi last month. 

"For the Paralympic Games, sailing should be there," said Norway's Bjornar Erikstad, a three-time Paralympian in the 2.4mR and gold medallist at the ISAF Sailing World Cup in Miami.

"In sailing you can be young, old, female, male and be on an equal playing field.

"It's about understanding the environment and what's around you that makes it unique.

"It has physical challenges and you have to be physically and mentally prepared."

Norway's Bjornar Erikstad insists sailing should be part of the Paralympic Games
©Getty Images



A further six sports were approved for inclusion at the Governing Board meeting - canoe, cycling, football five-a-side, judo, taekwondo and wheelchair fencing - adding to the 16 sports confirmed in October.

Sports were assessed for worldwide participation in terms of countries and continents, where the sport is regularly practiced, quadrennial competition programme, athlete classification, anti-doping programme, rules and regulations, and initiatives undertaken to make their sport more attractive.

"To reach this decision, the IPC undertook the most extensive and rigorous review process ever of all the sports which started in November 2013," said Sir Philip Craven, President of the IPC.

"All were assessed against the same criteria and our aim all along has been to ensure that the final Tokyo 2020 Paralympic sports programme is fresh and features the best Para-sports possible.

He added: "The Board's final decision was not an easy one and, after much debate, we decided not to include two sports - football seven-a-side and sailing - from the Tokyo 2020 programme for the same reason.

"Both did not fulfil the IPC Handbook's minimum criteria for worldwide reach."

Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee, said sailing "did not fulfil the IPC Handbook's minimum criteria for worldwide reach" ©Getty Images



The British Marine Federation (BMF), the trade association for the leisure, superyacht and small commercial marine industry, has also expressed its disappointment at sailing's exclusion and is offering support to the ISAF and other national organisations in their bid to have the sport reinstated at the Paralympic Games.

According to the Watersports Participation Report 2013, the United Kingdom witnessed around a 10 per cent increase in the number of people taking up sailing following the success of athletes at London 2012.

Great Britain claimed a total of five medals, including Ben Ainslie's gold in the men's Finn and silvers in the men's 470, men's star, men's RS-X and women's 470.

"The BMF is very concerned at the loss of such a powerful tool for raising the profile of British sailing and other boating activities," said the Federation in a statement.

"In addition, it is disappointed at the loss of such a unique platform for inspiring those with disabilities to take up the sport of sailing."

Letters of support for sailing's reinstatement at the Paralympic Games should be sent to [email protected]. 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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