You are missing the point... YOU, personally, can certainly make those CHOICES... What ever floats your boat.

Take the F18 Class... the leadership reflecting, the rank and file perspective want NO PART of Olympic Class. They considered the issue and voiced their strong point of view.
They said.. NO... because their class members would have NO CHOICE but to play the Olympic game and bend to the Olympic Culture...eg "THAT CROWD". They strongly felt it would ruin their very strong class and it's culture.

Ditto the A class....

It's not about competition... it's about the culture (see above). Any F18 or A class sailor is more then welcome to jump into the Tornado Class (old Olympic). It won't change the Class culture of either the F18's/A Class... or the Tornado Class.

When Tornado Olympic Sailors jumped into the F18 Class for fun or profit .... They were expected to play like all of the other kids in the sand box... So... they raced Stock boats and kicked butt... The class grew quite well.

Now you see... pricey custom boards, etc etc... The F18 Culture is under some pressure. Time will tell if the culture takes a hit.