The Athletes Commission at Rio 2016

Sarah Gosling nee Webb, a double gold medallist for Great Britain, can often be seen scurrying about the Sailing venue at the Rio Olympics. In her role as Chair of the Athletes Commission for World Sailing, she is at the Games to ensure the athletes have the best experience possible.

“I am here to look after the athletes now currently competing,” explains Gosling. “I am in discussion with people, getting a feel of the boat park to understand how the event is working for them. I am gathering all the information, sorting it as needed so it can be brought up the ladder as needed. I am also connecting with people to join the commission to ensure we stay strong in numbers.”
 
There is a lot going on at the Games, and conflicts are inevitable. “Our sport is imperfect, but if I can be an advocate for the athletes during their competition to help rectify any issues, then I see that as a victory for everyone,” notes Gosling. “I am connecting with all forms of the event administration, to understand situations and, if possible, work in the background to help resolve concerns if needed.”
 
While the Commission has been going for some time it is relatively young in its ability to affect change. However, at the World Sailing mid-year meeting last May, the position holder was given a seat on the Board, which is a full voting position. Prior to that, its role was more advisory, so it is a significant step now to directly impact decisions.
 
Gosling has seen the Games evolve, particularly with media. “We are wary of the influence of the media, and how television considerations can impact when we sail,” admits Gosling. “We don’t want to compromise the quality of competition, but at the same time, we as athletes need to improve the media presence for our sport. If that means we have to compete when the conditions are a bit tricky, than that’s what we might need to do.”
 
The goal of the Medal Race, which is to provide a spectator-friendly course, has had its objectors. “Everyone said at the 2012 Games that the Medal Race course was too hard, too variable,” shared Gosling. “And here we are, four years later, and the Medal Race course in Rio is a step harder. But during this time, the athletes get better and better at adapting to this type of racing. As long as the racing is fair, than I am happy with the direction we are headed.”
 
With mostly sterling weather, Rio has delivered as expected. “The athletes knew it would be challenging, and it has been proven to be that,” remarked Gosling. “No one has been surprised. But what has really been important is how well our sport has shown here. We have taken countless people out on the water to spectate, from the International Olympic Committee and beyond, to show what we are doing. The sentiment is always positive, finding our sport amazing. We are outside, taking advantage of such a scenic arena. It really sets our sport apart, which is partly why we all enjoy it so much.”

Find information below on how to follow the Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition.

RESULTS / ENTRIES
A full list of sailors racing at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games is available to view here – http://www.sailing.org/olympics/rio2016/qualification/sailors.php#.V6ZHvo6BLqM. Results will be available on World Sailing’s Olympic Website when racing starts on Monday 8 August here – http://www.sailing.org/olympics/rio2016/results/index.php#.V6ZH_Y6BLqM

LIVE TRACKING
The racing will be available to watch in 2D and 3D via the live tracking. Live tracking will be available when racing commences via – http://www.sailing.org/olympics/rio2016/multimedia/live_tracking.php

Live Tracking via the Sailviewer-3D Tablet App will be available for devices with 7″ or greater screens.

Click here to download the iOS Application – https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sailviewer-3d/id912801278
Click here to download the Android Application – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.stsportservice.sailviewer

COMPETITION STATUS
The Competition Status Screen feeds in straight from the Race Committee boats with the teams inputting data such as race times, course type, the status of each race and the plan moving forward. The competition status screen will be available when racing commences via – http://www.sailing.org/olympics/rio2016/multimedia/live_tracking.php

LIVE BLOGGING
Sailing journalist Craig Leweck will be following the racing LIVE on World Sailing’s Olympic Blog throughout Rio 2016. Follow LIVE here – http://www.sailing.org/olympics/rio2016/multimedia/live_blog.php#.V6dUbY6BLqM

PRESS RELEASES
World Sailing will be releasing international press releases after racing throughout the duration of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. All the latest news and reports will be available to read here – http://www.sailing.org/olympics/rio2016/news/index.php

TELEVISION
To find out who your Olympic broadcaster is, click here – https://www.olympic.org/rio-2016/broadcasters. The following link – http://go.olympic.org/WS – will redirect you to the Rights Holding Broadcaster in your country.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow the event on World Sailing’s social networks:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ISAFWorldSailing
Instagram – https://instagram.com/isafworldsailing/
Twitter – @worldsailing
Snapchat – Follow our Story on Snapchat, search for worldsailing

USEFUL LINKS
World Sailing Olympic Website – http://www.sailing.org/olympics/rio2016/home.php
Competition Schedule – http://www.sailing.org/olympics/rio2016/about/schedule.php
Latest Olympic Sailing news – http://www.sailing.org/olympics/rio2016/news/index.php
Online Notice Board – http://www.sailing.org/olympics/rio2016/results/notices/notices.php
Social Wall – http://www.sailing.org/olympics/rio2016/multimedia/social_wall.php#.V6ZteY6BLqM