PARIS, July 22 (Xinhua) -- As the countdown narrows, a fleet of 330 athletes is preparing to set sail at the Paris Olympic Games in France's southern city of Marseille, where stiff competition and exciting sailing can be expected, according to World Sailing officials.
"The Marseille Marina is an excellent harbor for sailing competitions, and we have received strong support from both the city of Marseille and the Paris organizing committee," Li Quanhai, president of World Sailing, told Xinhua on Monday.
"They have a very well-thought-out plan that not only meets the competition requirements, but also is set to establish a legacy as a maritime center for the country," Li noted, underlining the unique challenges for competitions due to varying wind conditions and the combination of open water and harbor environments.
Though refraining from specific predictions for teams at the Paris Olympics, David Graham, CEO of World Sailing, acknowledged the strong qualifications of China's sailing team.
"[China has] a very strong team. China qualified for nine out of 10 disciplines, that in itself is a big achievement," he said.
According to Graham, countries like Britain, Australia, Hungary, the Netherlands and Denmark are also highlighted as formidable competitors, marked by their intense rivalries and high standards of performance particularly in the iQFoiL class, a new addition in Paris.
"The Olympic sailing events are constantly evolving, following both the requirements of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as well as the sport's own development," said Li.
"For example, sailing in Paris has achieved a 50-50 balance between men and women for the first time in Olympic history," Li added. "The events are evolving to become faster, more exciting and more spectator-friendly. When it comes to changes, the sailing community has always maintained an open attitude."
Graham elaborated on the future plans and strategic initiatives of the sport's world governing body, notably an Olympic vision.
Key milestones are set for future Olympic Games, reflecting a long-term commitment to the sport's growth. Meanwhile, the global strategies span not only Olympic aspirations but also emphasize reintegrating sailing into the Paralympics and promoting gender equity, he said.
Regarding plans to attract young athletes, Graham highlighted the introduction of the new iQFoiL class, which feature shorter, more exciting races. The recent Youth World Championship in Italy saw robust participation, reinforcing the potential of youth engagement.
"We think that these new disciplines are going to help with the younger generations," Graham stated, adding that a comprehensive youth world strategy is under development, demonstrating a focus on nurturing young talent.
