Mixed relay kitesurfing validated by the International Olympic Committee
After the Rio Olympic Games in 2016, the IOC (International Olympic Committee) had asked World Sailing (World Sailing Federation) to integrate new disciplines into the events, playing the card of diversity, to bring more modernity and dynamism.
In 2018, world Sailing also validated the proposal to integrate mixed crew ocean racing as well as the kiteboard in mixed relay. If the decision to validate the first discipline is made on May 31, 2021, the IOC has just confirmed kiteboarding. A decision which delights the French Sailing Federation, the bearer of these projects, as its president, Nicolas Hénard, points out:
"We are delighted and pleased with this decision. Kiteboarding is a very current, modern and spectacular discipline. It will attract a young public to our sport. As for the mixed doubles offshore race, we would have liked to have had the same decision. We remain positive, motivated and committed so that in May, the IOC will announce that ocean racing will be the longest event of the Olympic Games, of all times and for all sports. In addition, the 470 is becoming a mixed event. We are thus becoming a sport with perfect equity between men and women with today 3 mixed disciplines, which is unique to the Summer Olympic Games"
For the 2024 Olympics, which will take place in Paris, Marseille has been chosen to host the sailing events. And the city is currently developing the future Olympic marina .
Developments in other disciplines
The RS :X, official support of the Windsurfing event since 2008 will be replaced by the iQFoil. Indeed, the foil is in strong development in the world of sailing, and attracts a young population in search of the sensation of gliding. The French have proven themselves in this discipline, with athletes such as Thomas and Nicolas Goyard in the men's category and Hélène Noesmoen and Marion Mortefon in the women's category.
Finally, the 470, the historic boat of the Olympic Games becomes a mixed series, like the Nacra 17.
Olympic Sailing Disciplines in 2024
- Female laser (solo dinghy)
- Male laser (single-handed dinghy)
- 49er female (double dinghy)
- 49er male (double dinghy)
- Women's windsurfing (foil board)
- Men's windsurfing (faith board)
- Nacra 17 mixed (mixed foil catamaran)
- 470 mixed (mixed double dinghy)
- Mixed kiteboard (foil kiteboard)
- Mixed double-handed ocean racing - decision on 31 May 2021
