World Sailing launches new Portrayal Guidelines to promote equity and inclusivity
by World Sailing 1 Jun 08:58 PDT
Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing in Marseille, France on 5 August, 2024 © Sander van der Borch / World Sailing
World Sailing has published its new World Sailing Portrayal Guidelines, a comprehensive document based on the IOC Portrayal Guidelines, 2026 Edition, with the aim of ensuring fair, equal, and respectful representation of athletes across all media platforms, official communications, and digital channels.
The new guidelines provide clear, practical advice for media professionals, broadcasters, event organisers, and member national authorities. They focus on eliminating gender bias, ensuring balanced coverage, and breaking down historical stereotypes in sports reporting. In addition, the principles can also be used to apply to other underrepresented groups in the sport.
By establishing standards for language usage, photography, and broadcast camera angles, World Sailing aims to shift the spotlight firmly onto the athletic achievements, technical skill, and determination of competitors, regardless of their gender.
Alexandra Rickham, World Sailing's Director of Sustainability, said, "The launch of the World Sailing Portrayal Guidelines represents an important moment for our sport. Sailing has a proud history of mixed-gender competition, and it is vital that the way our sport is promoted reflects the true professionalism and athletic excellence of all our competitors. These guidelines are not just about words and images; they are about fostering a culture of respect and equity that can inspire the next generation of sailors worldwide. While the focus is on gender, many of the ideas in the guidelines can also be used to support other underrepresented groups in the sport."
Implementing these guidelines comes at a crucial time, with several major regattas on the horizon, as World Sailing continues to modernise the sport and align with international best practices for equity in sport. The document addresses key areas such as the volume of coverage, the framing of digital content, and the eradication of patronising or trivialising terminology.
World Sailing will work closely with its partners and stakeholders over the coming months to integrate these guidelines into all upcoming major championships and international regattas, including LA28 Olympic Qualification, the 2027 World Sailing Championships and World Sailing Special Events.
The complete World Sailing Portrayal Guidelines are now available for download from the World Sailing website, alongside supporting resources designed to assist media teams in adopting these new protocols immediately.