Finn youth talk about Paris 2024 Olympic decision
by Robert Deaves 20 Jul 2019 17:29 BST
16-20 July 2019
During the 2019 U23 Finn World Championship for the Finn Silver Cup in Anzio, Italy, we spoke to various sailors about what it means to them personally not to have the option of the Finn after Tokyo 2020.
Last week the Finn Class announced intentions to make submissions at World Sailing's November conference to reinstate the Finn. What these sailors have to say should be heard by anyone interested in the Olympic sailing regatta, and providing equal opportunities for sailors of all sizes to realise their Olympic dream.
This is just a small cross section of opinion. But these are the sailors that have been most affected by the decision to remove the Finn from Paris 2024, as they are young and at the beginning of what could have been successful Finn careers.
Over the history of dinghy sailing in the Olympics, the Finn has produced many of the world's best sailors. The technicality of the boat and the physical preparation needed to get the best out of the boat requires considerable dedication and commitment to be the best athlete possible.
The time has come to revisit and find an equitable solution to allow these awesome power athletes their opportunity to take to the Olympic stage, like the many thousands of Finn sailors before them.
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