Every generation has its legends

The Finn class remains focussed and committed to ensure the Finn is re-selected for the Olympics in 2024. It rejects the assertion that the Finn has had its time and should be retired. The relevancy of the Finn to the Olympics has more support now than perhaps ever before.

Since the much criticised decisions last year removing the Finn from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games it has become widely apparent that there will be no option for the heavyweight sailors in the Olympic programme after Tokyo 2020, despite what was said at the time.

This decision also ignores a policy decision approved by the World Sailing Council and Board at the 2017 Annual Conference requiring that the 2024 events “Ensure that men and women of different physiques have an opportunity to compete” and “Include both universal events and events that showcase the innovation of sailing and demonstrate the diversity of the sport”.

These policy decisions were included in Regulation 23.1.2 (d), which says that Olympic Events and Equipment “be attractive and accessible to young athletes from all continents, and of different size and weight, with a clear pathway from World Sailing Youth to Olympic Events and Equipment”, and Regulation 23.1.2 (e), which says “maximise the participation of the world’s best sailors and showcase the diversity of the sport”.

Both policies have been ignored for the expediency of a different agenda, and have led to discrimination against male athletes above 85 kg.

There should now be a way to get Finn sailors back into Olympic sailing, not just the current sailors, but also the large, tall and heavy youth of the future who no longer have a ‘clear pathway’ through the Olympic programme.

That pathway is now broken and needs to be fixed.

A submission in November 2019 achieving a 75 per cent approval of Council can overturn the decisions made in November 2018 and put the Finn back in its proper place. The Finn class calls on MNAs around the world to make and support submissions that will put the Finn back into the Olympic programme.

The historical, cultural, technical and athletic influence that the Finn has brought to the Olympics for 68 years cannot be ignored and rejected.

Globally, the sport of sailing should be providing equal opportunities for sailors of all physiques to be able to compete in the Olympic Games. At the moment a large number of athletes are being discriminated against and excluded, which is contrary to World Sailing policy and IOC guidelines.

Now is the time to put that right, before it is too late.

Full report: finnclass.org