Sailing Chief Looks at Past With Eye on the Future -- ATRadio

(ATR) Sailing asks the hard questions of itself before Paris 2024.

Currently World Sailing is firming up its program for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. There are a number of new disciplines, including kiteboarding, that will debut.

While federation leaders have selected a program for the Olympic regatta, the equipment sailors will use in the waters off Marseille is yet to be decided.

Kim Anderson was elected as World Sailing President in 2016 after the Rio Olympics. His mandate comes at a time when sailing has to reckon with a changing Olympic Movement, and how to continue to attract new, young athletes.

"It's the job of myself, my team and the sport of sailing to find and decide on the right venue for sailing, and then discuss the best venue for the IOC" Anderson said. "Sailing has a strong Olympic history, which we are very proud of, but we also need to look to the future. We are working hard to create the optimal Olympics by showing off our sport in a venue that works for both us and the IOC, but at the same time we are continuly looking to development and attract new sailors. I think that's the challenge we are seeing."

"Of course, when deciding aspects of the Olympic Programme - equipment discussions always come up. Sailing is a very technical sport, and we have equipment which has been used in the Olympics for many years - the history of that equipment and the ties it has to our sport makes that its difficult for us to change it. But we have to have a look to the future and if that means change we must consider this impact and that sometimes hurts."

Listen to the full interview with Anderson below:

Homepage photo: ATR

Written by Aaron Bauer,interview conducted by Ed Hula

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