Ok... it's all about driving!

So... Men will have driving opportunities
in Laser, Finn, 470 and 49ner.

Women will have driving opportunities in
Laser, Mixed multi, 470 and 29nerXX

Looking at it this way... the 16 footers would not win out in a trial. You might as well go with a 20 footer... You also need something for the Olympic flash! A 20 footer will make for the best show on video. The 49ner show is just not that eye catching. A 20 foot cat would make this event the feature event (along with kites) at the sailing olympics.

Perhaps the executive committee will take into account the demographics of sailors (60-40 male-female) and make Multihull ... Open ... and then pick a 16 footer to get lots of options for teams.

They probably have done the best they could hope with extending sailing to the rest of the world.

I would be delighted if they made multi... Open and made a very specific charge to the selection committee for what they want to see with respect to participation opportunities.

I would give this option no more then a 5% chance though.