ISAF Response to Sail-World Article

The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has read the Sail-World article published on 19 August 2015 regarding Korea’s Cho Wonwoo who is competing at the Aquece Rio – International Sailing Regatta 2015, the Olympic test event.

Since arriving in Rio, there have been two cases of sailor sickness reported to ISAF. Korea’s Cho Wonwoo and one other competitor who wishes to keep their identity private.

ISAF have taken a number of proactive steps to ensure the health and safety of the 326 athletes competing in the Aquece Rio, the Olympic Test Event.

Dr. Nebojša Nikolic, a member of ISAF’s Medical Commission, is in attendance to work with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Rio 2016 to gain a further understanding so ISAF can make smart and safe decisions for all the teams out on the water inside and outside of Guanabara Bay.

Dr. Nikolic has been working closely with the sailors and there is no confirmation that their sickness is related to the waters inside or outside of Guanabara Bay.

Since the Sail-World publication, Wonwoo has fully recovered, finishing 14th in the single Men’s RS:X race on 19 August due to light winds.

In addition, Dr. Nikolic has been working closely with the 50 nations in attendance offering medical guidelines for all international coaches. These guidelines, that offer ten recommendations, are advised for all international competitions in order to protect a sailor’s health abroad and therefore enhancing their competitive edge in racing.

The medical guidelines for the international team coaches are available on the ISAF website here – http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/MedicalGuidelinesfortheInternationalTeamCoach-%5B18267%5D.pdf

There are also 62 ISAF affiliates in Rio which include Race Officers, International Jury, Equipment Inspectors, ISAF Executive representatives and ISAF Staff, all of whom have been on the water with no sickness reported from the group.

In addition, ISAF have appointed International Race Official Pedro Rodrigues to work alongside Rio 2016 sustainability and the local government to ensure the racing areas are safe for fair sailing for the duration of the test event.

The health and welfare of all athletes competing is a top priority for ISAF. Water quality is an important aspect at all Olympic Games and is regularly addressed between ISAF, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Rio 2016.

The organisers have taken proactive measures – such as closing landfills, reducing industrial pollution, increasing water treatment works, and reducing floating garbage – that are being taken and implemented by the local authorities to guarantee the quality of the water in the field of play areas of the bay and ensure that the athletes will be able to compete safely. These efforts will be sustained until the staging of the Games in 2016 and will certainly provide a great legacy, as Rio de Janeiro works to improve the state of the bay generally.

The Test Event will allow ISAF the opportunity to gather key facts to evaluate in advance of making the final decisions that will govern the 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition.

ISAF is supporting and tracking all activities to improve the water quality, ensuring fair sailing and wants to ensure that the Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition is a fantastic event that is remembered for the right reasons.

HOW TO FOLLOW

Click here to access the Tracking and Competition Status Screen – www.sailing.org/olympics/rio2016/multimedia/live_tracking.php

Results will be available throughout the Aquece Rio – International Sailing Regatta 2015 on the ISAF Olympic website here – http://www.sailing.org/olympics/rio2016/results/index.php

Follow the event on ISAF’s social networks:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ISAFWorldSailing
Instagram – https://instagram.com/isafworldsailing/
Twitter – @ISAFupdates

USEFUL LINKS

ISAF Olympic Website – http://www.sailing.org/olympics/rio2016/home.php
Entry List – http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/ENTRYLISTPERCLASSTEV2015OFICIAL280715-%5B19025%5D.pdf
Racing Schedule – http://www.sailing.org/olympics/rio2016/about/schedule.php
Sailing Instructions – http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/AqueceRio2015SIFINAL-%5B19017%5D.pdf
Online Notice Board – http://www.sailing.org/olympics/rio2016/results/notices/index.php
Race Areas – http://www.sailing.org/olympics/rio2016/about/race_areas.php

Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition

The Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition will take place at the Marina da Glória, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and will feature 380 athletes competing across ten events.

Racing is scheduled to take place from 8-18 August 2016 and the competition format for all events is fleet racing.

Aquece Rio website – www.aquecerio.com/en