At a time when the development of Sailability Ireland is more active than ever before, it is disappointing news to find out that Sailing has been dropped from the Paralympics 2020 due to not reaching the minimum criteria for inclusion in the Games as stated in the IPC handbook.
Paralympic Sailing in 2020
“Only individual sports and disciplines widely and regularly practised in a minimum of 32 countries and three IPC regions may be considered for inclusion in the Paralympic Games. Only team sports widely and regularly practised in a minimum of 24 countries and three (3) IPC regions will be considered for inclusion in the Paralympic Games.”
Recent development has resulted in the regular addition of new countries to competitive sailing. The process of merging with ISAF (with a membership of 139 Member National Authorities) was completed in November of 2014, with the main aim of opening a whole new field for the development of disabled sailing. Through ISAF’s development programmes, worldwide participation initiatives and event structure, the opportunities for disabled sailing are better than ever before.
The Irish Sailing Association are in communication with ISAF, IFDS, Paralympics Ireland and other Member National Authorities to assess the options.
Full news announcement from IPC 31/01/15 here.
The above article is reprinted with the kind permission of the ISA.
