Sailing: IOC block new discipline

Hopes of an extra event for sailing at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney have been dashed at the meeting of the International Olympic Committee in Mexico, writes Stuart Alexander.

The International Sailing Federation asked for women's match racing to be made the 11th discipline but, while the IOC has said it wishes to see more participation by women, there is a constraint of 10,200 athletes on total numbers.

While white water rafting has been dropped for Sydney, taekwondo and triathlon have been added, so there could even be reduction of 10 per cent imposed on the 424 athletes allowed for sailing in 1996.

Britain's Chris Law faces the Dutchman Roy Heiner in today's best of seven semi-final of the Steinlager Cup in Auckland.