Please select your home edition
Edition
RYA Membership

BOA and RYA joint statement on athletes selected for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

by British Sailing Team 14 Apr 2020 10:40 BST 14 April 2020
First Team GB athletes selected for Tokyo 2020 © British Sailing Team

The 15 sailors already named to represent Team GB at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will remain the same for the rescheduled Games in 2021, the British Olympic Association (BOA) and the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) have today confirmed.

The announcement follows the decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games by 12 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In light of the postponement, the BOA asked the RYA to consider and confirm its position regarding the selection of athletes for Team GB.

A meeting held by the RYA Olympic Selection Committee (OSC) unanimously agreed that the selections previously agreed should stand for the rearranged Tokyo Olympic Games, which will take place from July 23 to August 8 next year.

It was the OSC's view that the sailors selected in all ten Olympic classes remain the best choices to maximise Team GB's medal-winning potential in Enoshima, the sailing competition venue.

Team GB's sailors were the first to be announced back in October 2019, with an initial 12 sailors selected including Olympic champions Hannah Mills (470 Women) and Giles Scott (Finn).

Partnering Mills will be her world championship-winning crew Eilidh McIntyre, while in the men's 470 Luke Patience and Chris Grube were selected. In the men's 49er class Stuart Bithell teams up with Dylan Fletcher, while Charlotte Dobson returns in the 49erFX alongside Saskia Tidey. Alison Young will make her third Olympic appearance in the Laser Radial discipline. Both representatives in the RS:X windsurfer class are newcomers to the Olympic Games: Tom Squires and Emma Wilson.

The 12 selections were followed by a further three in February of this year. John Gimson and Anna Burnet were selected for the Nacra 17 class, while Elliot Hanson (Laser) completed the 15-strong line-up in late February in the Laser. All three will be making their Olympic debuts at the re-arranged Games.

Mark Robinson, RYA Olympic Performance Manager and Team GB Sailing Team Leader, said: "I am delighted to re-confirm the 15 athletes already selected for Team GB will stay the same for the rescheduled Games.

"Over the past eight months we have nominated an incredibly talented group of sailors to the British Olympic Association and we strongly believe they remain the right athletes to represent the nation in 2021.

"The global pandemic has caused much uncertainty but, combined with release of the new dates for the Olympic Games, this decision will give our sailors the confidence, clarity and motivation to charge towards Tokyo 2020 and the goal of bringing home medals for Team GB."

Mark England, Team GB Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020, said: "We are delighted with the sailing team selected for the Games and think they bring a great mix of proven Olympic success along with exciting new talent.

"We feel with the re-confirmation of these names, the athletes can firmly set their sights on next July and ensure that when training resumes they can thoroughly prepare and be in the best possible position to show Team GB supporters and the world, what they're capable of in Tokyo."

Team GB's Tokyo 2020 sailors:

Related Articles

Wilson wins Princess Sofia Trophy
As Brits dominate in Palma Sailors Emma Wilson and Micky Beckett spearheaded a massive nine-medal haul - the best in the event's history - at the LA 2028 cycle curtain raiser. Posted on 7 Apr
Princess Sofia Trophy marks start of LA 2028 cycle
British Sailing Team ready for 54th edition of this prestigious regatta The Princess Sofia Trophy regatta will take place in Palma, Mallorca. This year there are four sites making up the event: Arenal (49er, 49erFX, Nacra 17, 470), Ca'n Pastilla (ILCA 6 and 7), Portixol (iQFOiL) and Playa de Palma beach (Formula Kite). Posted on 27 Mar
Medals aplenty in Cadiz
British Sailing Team picked up silverware at the second round of the iQFOiL Games There was a flurry of medals for the British Sailing Team this weekend in the build-up to the Princess Sofia Trophy regatta, the historic season opener. Posted on 17 Mar
Wilson and Watson bring home iQFOiL Games spoils
Gold and bronze for British pair Emma Wilson marked her return to Olympic class racing with a resounding victory at the 2025 season opener, as teammate Islay Watson picked up bronze. Posted on 3 Feb
Emma Wilson launches LA 2028 campaign in Lanzarote
The 2025 iQFOiL Games kicks off in Playa Blanca on Wednesday The 2025 iQFOiL Games kicks off in Playa Blanca on the Canary Island of Lanzarote on Wednesday January 29 and concludes on Sunday February 2. Posted on 28 Jan
Ellie Aldridge made MBE in New Year's Honours
Following her groundbreaking victory in the women's kite competition at Paris 2024 Ellie Aldridge has been made an MBE in the King's New Year's Honours following her groundbreaking victory in the women's kite competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Posted on 31 Dec 2024
Aldridge shortlisted for World Sailor of the Year
After becoming the first ever Formula Kite gold medallist in Marseille Team GB's history-making athlete Ellie Aldridge has been shortlisted for the prestigious World Sailor of the Year award. Posted on 21 Oct 2024
Olympian raises £18k by raffling Paris 2024 boat
All the £18,053 raised will go to the Andrew Simpson Foundation Olympic sailor Micky Beckett has raised over £18,000 to help kids get on the water by raffling the boat he raced at Paris 2024. Posted on 14 Oct 2024
Brown and Barton rule the waves in Cagliari
Silver and bronze medals at the iQFOiL Europeans It was double delight for Brits Andy Brown and Matt Barton as they scooped silver and bronze medals at the iQFOiL European Championships. Posted on 12 Oct 2024
iQFOiL Euros kickstart LA cycle for Brits
GBR windfoilers will be out in force in Cagliari The British Sailing Team's windfoilers will be out in force in Cagliari, with six female athletes and five male athletes competing. Posted on 3 Oct 2024