Sailing 'Only Olympic Sport to Harness Nature' -- ATRadio

(ATR) World Sailing chief executive officer Andy Hunt tells Around the Rings the federation is utilizing its unique platform to improve the environment.

"[Sailing]’s the only sport that truly harnesses the power of nature and sailors are very passionate about the environment in which they sail," Hunt tells ATR on a special edition of ATRadio from the 2017 SportAccord Convention.

The athlete’s connection to the environment while sailing has made the federation consider ways in which to improve conditions that benefit both athletes and nature.

"We’ve put sustainability right at the heart of what we’re doing, and how we’re doing that is water quality," Hunt says. "We’re setting new water quality standards that will apply to all of our events and I think that will have a positive legacy, not just on where we hold the Olympic Games, but in major ports around the world."

Hunt hopes that the example World Sailing sets could lead to higher water quality standards for all sporting events in the future, particularly after the Rio 2016 Olympics where the quality of water was a source of major concern. However, Hunt says having sailing in Rio will improve the water quality in years to come.

"The investment made in putting this sewage pipe belt around the bay – that is a long term legacy which will improve the quality of the water."

Hunt says World Sailing is not concerned about the water quality at the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Games and is more focused on making the sport more "exciting and accessible".

Listen below for the full interview with Hunt and ATR Editor Ed Hula:

Written by Kevin Nutley

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