Same again as Mills gets the green light for 2021 Games
HANNAH Mills will get the chance to become the most successful sailor in Olympic history after being selected fior the re-arranged Games in Tokyo next year.
The 15 British sailors already selected for the Olympic Games have been told their places are safe for the rescheduled event.
Most spors have the option to change their selection policy in the light of the new dates for the Games.
But the British Olympic Association and the Royal Yachting Association have confirmed they will keep faith with the squad chosen to go to Japan this summer after the coronavirus pandemic forced the event back 12 months.
Twelve of the team that will compete at Enoshima Island were chosen in October 2019, including Olympic champions Mills and Giles Scott, before a further three – Olympic debutants John Gimson, Anna Burnet and Elliot Hanson – were announced in February.
Mark Robinson, RYA Olympic performance manager and Team GB sailing team leader, said: “Over the past eight months we have nominated an incredibly talented group of sailors to the British Olympic Association and we strongly believe they remain the right athletes to represent the nation in 2021.
“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 for Team GB.”
Also heading out to Japan in July 2021 will be Eilidh McIntyre, Luke Patience, Chris Grube, Charlotte Dobson, Saskia Tidey, Dylan Fletcher, Stuart Bithell, Alison Young, Emma Wilson and Tom Squires.
Speaking recently, Penarth’s Mills, who will be partnered by Eilidh McIntyre in the 470 Class competition, admitted she was ‘gutted’ at the decision to postpone the event, but fully backed it in the light of the global pandemic.
The Rio 2016 champion said that while some athletes “will probably be ecstatic” they have another year to prepare, “the word that describes it most for me is “gutted”.
“Everything you do is preparing for a date you believe will never move. It’s what we’re always told, the Olympics wait for no-one,” said the 32-year-old reigning World Champion.
“It’s heart-breaking because so much goes into it and for me being at the end of my career, another year is a big deal.
“It’s a question of whether your body is going to be as good as it is this year; and the mental determination and will and want. All of that kind of stuff comes into question.”
But while Mills cannot hide her disappointment, she backs the decision to postpone the Games
“100% it’s the right decision as heart-breaking and difficult as it is for many athletes.
“The health of the global population comes first.”