1996 Paralympic Games, Atlanta, United States of America (USA)

    The 1996 Paralympic Games, Atlanta, USA, saw the introduction of sailing as a demonstration sport and led to its acceptance as a full medal sport at the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games.

    Paralympic sailing is a unique sport that manages to attract athletes with varying disabilities, by adhering to the IFDS Functional Classification System. This document explains the system by which disabled sailors are classified according to their ability, in order that all can compete on an equal basis.

    The two classes which are used in the Paralympic Games are the:

    2.4mR, a single person keelboat.

    Sonar, a three person keelboat.(More information about this class can be found on the Sonar Class Website www.sonar.org)

    2000 Paralympic Games, Sydney, Australia (AUS)

    The 2000 Paralympic Games, Sydney, Australia was the first time that sailing has been fully included as a medal sport in the Paralympic Games.

    The Sailing Marina in Rushcutters Bay was host to 15 entrants from the Sonar class and 17 from the 2.4mR class and the sailing took place from the 20 – 27 October 2000.