Kingston, October 26, 2021 ÛÒ World Sailing launched today a campaign for the reinstatement of the sport of sailing at the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles and shared its strategic priorities to support the growth of the sport by 2023.
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Don Adams, CEO of Sail Canada
ÛÏSail Canada strongly supports this campaign and will definitively work jointly with World Sailing in the hopes that Para Sailing will be back at the Paralympic Games in 2028.Û
ÛÏCanada has a rich history of Para Sailing, having won five medals in this sport at the Paralympic Games and seven at the Para World Sailing Championships.Û
ÛÏBut above all, sailing is a sport for life, that allows all Canadians living with or without a disability, and at any age, to be active in a country that certainly has no lack of lakes and oceans where one can enjoy sailing.Û
ÛÏSail Canada just launched its new 2021-2024 Strategic Plan, which includes objectives of diversity, inclusivity and equity. The reinstatement of sailing at the Paralympic Games constitutes a meaningful initiative not only for our national organizationÛªs strategy to increase the number of Para Sailors, but also for all Canadians living with a physical disability. Access to financial resources linked to Paralympic sports allows national organizations to invest not only in high performance and development, but also in the accessibility of sports for approximately 15% of Canadians living with a physical disability. And for the higher-performing athletes, the possibility of participating in the Paralympic Games would give them an additional goal while taking part in a sport they are passionate about.Û
Paul Tingley, three-time medalist in sailing at the Paralympic Games
ÛÏI strongly believe that sailing is one of the most inclusive Paralympic sports among them all. Whatever your disability, all Para Sailors can be in a sailboat, be active in their favourite class as well as compete and have fun with their teammates. No other sport offers us the privilege of being so inclusive. This is what makes sailing such a unique sport and that is why it deserves to be included in the Paralympic Games program.Û
Jackie Gay, Silver Medalist, 2016 Rio Paralympic Games
“The Paralympic Games are the pinnacle of our sport, and for young and newly disabled sailors to know that this opportunity is open to them is something that will fill the entire pyramid with energy and potential. We miss our friends and the international community! We miss the chance to bring medals home for our country and to leave our challenges and disabilities behind as we sail away from the dock to compete at the highest level.Û
“Sailors know that sailors never stop learning. I want to learn everything that the ocean has to teach me, and competing in Para Sailing is a huge part of this journey. I am very thankful for all the opportunities I have had and will do all I can to secure these opportunities for Para Sailors in the future. We have a fantastic legacy already, now letÛªs build on it!”
About Sail Canada
Established in 1931, Sail Canada is the national governing body for the sport of sailing in the country. Sail Canada is a leading international sailing nation, proud of its world class athletes, lifelong participants and inclusive culture. The organization and its members are committed to excellence by developing and training its leaders, athletes, sailors, instructors, coaches and officials. With the valued support from our partners, the Provincial Sailing Associations and our member clubs, schools, organizations and stakeholders, sailing is promoted in all its forms. By setting standards and delivering programs from home pond to podium for Canadians of all ages and abilities, from dinghies to keelboats, cruising to navigation, windsurfing to powerboating and accessible sailing, Sail Canada sets sail for all, sail to win and sail for life.
A sport in the Olympic program since the first Games in 1896, except in 1904, the pursuit of success in these Games is what fuels the focus of Sail Canada as Canadian athletes have so far achieved nine Olympic and five Paralympic medals.
