January 20, 2023
1 minute reading time
Aquece Rio International Sailing Regatta 2015 is the second sailing test event in preparation for the Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition. Held out of Marina da Gloria from 15-22 August, the Olympic test event welcomes more than 330 sailors from 52 nations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Credit Pedro Martinez/Sailing Energy
LA28 Paralympic reinstatement - Jo Aleh, Chair World Sailing Athletes’ Commission
Jo Aleh, Chair of the World Sailing Athletes’ Commission and two-time Olympic medallist - with gold at London 2012 and silver at Rio 2016 - knows first hand just how inclusive sailing is.
After Para Sailing’s most successful year, she now has a special 2023 message.
LA28 #Backthebid
As World Sailing awaits the decision by International Paralympic Committee on the LA28 programme, Aleh – who represents the voices of thousands of sailors around the world – explains why she feels Para Sailing can open up unique experiences for athletes:
“I grew up in Muriwai on the west coast of Auckland, New Zealand, in a family that had no history in sailing.
“I took up the sport when I was ten years old – ever since my first sail, being on the water has given me a sense of freedom, possibilities, of being at one with nature.”
Sailing is a “unique sport, truly accessible”
Aleh believes that sailing is one of the most accessible sports, enabling sailors to compete as equals on the water, regardless of disability or gender:
“I simply love getting out on the water and sailing, challenging myself against the elements, competitors – and against myself in the pursuit of perfection, in a sport where perfection can never truly exist.
“Para Sailing offers people across the entire classification spectrum the opportunity to compete at the highest levels – it can, and does, enable Para Sailors to have the same opportunities, living fuller lives on and off the water.
“And this is a sport where gender is irrelevant, where men and women can compete on a level playing field.”
#SailtoLA
The International Paralympic Committee is now in the final stages of considering the biggest ever interest in the Paralympic Games – 33 sports have submitted applications for LA28.