Quanhai Li elected President of World Sailing
The ballot for the election of the president of World Sailing, the international sailing federation, was held until 23 October 2020. After a second round between Kim Andersen, the outgoing Danish president, and Quanhai Li, the Chinese representative, it was finally the latter who obtained the majority, with 68 votes out of 128. The result was announced at the General Assembly on 1 November 2020.
The election of the new Chairman was completed with the renewal of the Executive Committee. Its members are now :
- Tomasz Chamera (POL)
- Sarah Kenny (AUS)
- Philip Baum (RSA)
- Yann Rocherieux (FRA)
- Duriye Özlem Akdurak (TUR)
- Marcus Spillane (IRL)
- Cory Sertl (USA).
The terms of office are for a period of 4 years and run until 2024.
1st Chinese president of a major Olympic federation
The election of Quanhai Li marks a milestone in the history of Chinese sport. It is the first time that a Chinese will occupy such a position in a major sports federation present at the Olympic Games. According to the daily South China Morning Post, the candidate would have benefited from the support of the Chinese real estate company, Evergrande, promising a $10 million sponsorship. While World Sailing has been facing financial difficulties since its move from Southampton to London and the withdrawal of its sponsor Gazprom, this promise may have tipped the balance.
Concern about ocean racing at the Olympics
While outgoing President Kim Andersen intended to continue the choices made during his first term of office regarding Olympic sailing supports, the new leader could change them. Rumours from World Sailing indicate that the federations opposed to the withdrawal of Finn and RS:X windsurfing in favour of ocean racing and windfoil are manoeuvring around the newly elected leader. The next few months will make it clearer about the chances of an ocean racing event being held during the 2024 Olympic Games in Marseille.
