Perth 2011 Chairman Welcomes Olympic Recommendations
The report recommends criteria that it believes the sport of sailing should address to assure its long-term future within the Olympic Games. The ISAF Olympic Commission has identified five core segments to this strategy:
1. Increasing universality (global participation)
2. Expanding Olympic qualification opportunities
3. Building the popularity of the sport for media and spectators
4. Improving the ISAF Event structure
5. Enhancing sailing in the Olympic Games
Further, the Commission recommended that ISAF expand the ‘reach and appeal of sailing’ to emerging nations and sailors, spectators and the media. It also suggested that costs be reduced for sailors and Member National Authorities (MNAs), that MNAs be provided with a better return for their investments, a focus be placed on an Olympic strategy to align more on youth and that additional structure be implemented to the annual sailing calendar.
In welcoming the report, Mr Ian Campbell said it was evident that the structure of the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships had been designed to address many of these essential components right from the initial bid back in 2007.
“Since our bid, Perth 2011 has been living and breathing its vision of inclusion and engagement. Our desire is to involve all sporting enthusiasts, in a world-class Event that raises the bar for those that follow,” Mr Campbell said.
“Perth 2011’s Emerging Nations Programme targets an increase in global participation, so far assisting young elite sailors from 23 emerging sailing nations from countries including Chinese Taipei, Columbia, Latvia, Moldova and Serbia to reach their Olympic dreams.
“We are focused on building the popularity of the sport for media representatives and spectators by offering them vantage points and insights never experienced in Olympic class sailing. We aim to create a natural ampitheatre for watching the sport, so close to the beach that if an athlete misses a mark in the strong wind, he or she would end up in the crowd!”
Innovative techniques will also be implemented, including advanced tracking and scoring systems, live website updates, incredible up close television coverage (with on boat cameras), an Event radio station, first-rate membership packages and quality international merchandise. Important international Event knowledge will also be transferred via its two world-class Observer Programmes (Bidding Cities and Host Cities).
Mr Campbell said that although the report suggested the sport of sailing still had several areas which required improvement, Perth 2011 was progressing in line with this latest strategic direction.
“By working closely with ISAF, Perth 2011 is providing the sport with every chance of meeting these all important IOC benchmarks,” he said.
