News FORMER OPTIMISTS AT THE 2000 OLYMPICS

FORMER OPTIMISTS AT THE 2000 OLYMPICS

At least 50% of all dinghy helms at the Sydney Olympics were former Optimist sailors.

at least70% of these sailed in Optimist world and continental championships.

Sydney, Australia

At least 50% of all dinghy helms at the Sydney Olympics were former Optimist sailors.

at least70% of these sailed in Optimist world and continental championships.

This information:

  • helps to convince governments and National Olympic Councils to invest in junior sailing
  • disproves the myth that sailing is one of the sports where early success leads to "burn-out", lack of achievement in later life
  • provides motivation for all those who work for junior sailing

The following notes and the statitics about the medallists had been prepared by Robert Wilkes and last updated on 4/8/2000.

Statistical notes:

  • Age: Older sailors are less likely to have sailed Optimists. Over 65% of those aged under 30 did so. When Hans Wallen won the Optimist Worlds in 1976 there were only 19 countries present: when Siren Sundby was first girl in 1997 there were 41!
  • Eastern Europe: For most of the relevant period East European (including DDR) Optimist sailors did not travel abroad. Also, with the fragmentation of the USSR, information is difficult to obtain.
  • Weight: Finn sailors are generally heavier than the general population. Although many sailed Optimists they may have moved out of the Optimist for weight reasons before they could qualify for their national Optimist teams.
  • U.S.A. Former Optimist Worlds sailors were second in the Laser, 470W and Soling trials and third in the Europe.

Click here to see the analyisis of 2000 (PDF)

IODA congratulates the following who won Olympic medals in 2000:

GoldThomas Johanson (FIN - 49er)Optimist Worlds 1984.
GoldBen Ainslie (GBR - Laser)Optimist Worlds 1989-1992
GoldIain Percy (GBR - Finn)Optimist Europeans 1988-1990
GoldBelinda Stowell (AUS - 470W)
SilverMargriet Matthijsse (NED - Europe)Optimist Worlds 1991
SilverRobert Scheidt (BRA - Laser)Optimist Worlds 1986
SilverJochen Schümann (GER - Soling)
BronzeJavier Conte (ARG - 470)
BronzeJuan de la Fuente (ARG - 470)
BronzeRene Schwall (GER - Tor)
BronzeSerena Amato (ARG - Europe)
BronzeFrederik Lööf (SWE - Finn)Optimist Worlds 1983

and commiserates with Nick Rogers, 1996 Finn gold Matteus Kuznierewicz and former Optimist World Champion Serge Kats, all of whom came fourth.