Hayling Island sailor Eilidh McIntyre won’t have to re-qualify for next year’s Tokyo Olympics

Eilidh McIntyre and the rest of the Team GB sailors who were hoping to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will not have to re-qualify for the rearranged Games.
Eilidh McIntyre, left, and Hannah Mills will still represent Team GB in the women's 470 sailing event at the re-arranged Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Picture by Junichi Hirai/BULKHEAD magazine/470 ClassEilidh McIntyre, left, and Hannah Mills will still represent Team GB in the women's 470 sailing event at the re-arranged Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Picture by Junichi Hirai/BULKHEAD magazine/470 Class
Eilidh McIntyre, left, and Hannah Mills will still represent Team GB in the women's 470 sailing event at the re-arranged Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Picture by Junichi Hirai/BULKHEAD magazine/470 Class

The Hayling Islander and her 470 partner Hannah Mills - the 2019 world champions - were among 15 sailors who had been selected for this summer’s Olympics in Japan.

Today, the British Olympic Association (BOA) and the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) confirmed they will all still represent Team GB in 2021.

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A joint statement said: ‘The announcement follows the decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games by 12 months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

‘In light of the postponement, the BOA asked the RYA to consider and confirm its position regarding the selection of athletes for Team GB.

‘A meeting held by the RYA Olympic Selection Committee unanimously agreed that the selections previously agreed should stand for the rearranged Tokyo Olympics, which will take place from July 23 to August 8 next year.

‘It was the OSC’s view that the sailors selected in all ten Olympic classes remain the best choices to maximise Team GB’s medal-winning potential in Enoshima, the sailing competition venue.’

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Mark England, the Team GB Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020, said: ‘We are delighted with the sailing team selected for the Games and think they bring a great mix of proven Olympic success along with exciting new talent.

‘We feel with the re-confirmation of these names, the athletes can firmly set their sights on next July and ensure that when training resumes they can thoroughly prepare and be in the best possible position to show Team GB supporters and the world what they’re capable of in Tokyo.’

Mark Robinson, the RYA Olympic Performance Manager and Team GB Sailing Team Leader, added: ‘Over the past eight months we have nominated an incredibly talented group of sailors to the British Olympic Association.

‘We strongly believe they remain the right athletes to represent the nation in 2021.

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‘The global pandemic has caused much uncertainty but, combined with release of the new dates for the Olympic Games, this decision will give our sailors the confidence, clarity and motivation to charge towards Tokyo 2020 and the goal of bringing home medals.’

McIntyre is aiming to follow in her father’s footsteps and win Olympic sailing gold - Mike having won his medal at the Seoul Games in 1988.

Mills is aiming for her second successive 470 Olympic gold having won in Rio four years ago alongside Saskia Clark.