Every country is different. They have complete freedom to design their own selection process.

The Aussies had a terrible battle over who to send several years ago. Booth and Forbes had broken up ... the choice was between bundy and forbes and booth and XXX (I don't know the details). in the end... Aus sided with bundock and forbes and after some legal action. So, Booth moved to Holland.

So, my understanding is that the US Olympic committe gives US Sailing, the MNA, wiggle room. Its advisory!

Again.. its just like Ice skating... Michell Kwan did not compete in the trials... She did compete in the Olympics. It was the US Olympic committe decison... not the equivalent of the ice skating class.

In Sailing, You will remember Randy Smyth suddenly getting back into the class for the 96 trials... It was believed that if he had a strong showing... they would choose him over the trials winner. He had medals and experience.

Being proffesionals have NOTHING TO DO with their going to the olympics. it's not their option... its the COUNTRY's.
These rules change quitely so I may be off base... but I don't believe so.

As Bundy said... it stops him from sailing with a child at the Olympics!

So the answer is Yes... you should be worried!

Nothing stops one of the Olympic committes from going... Hmm.. Odds are... no trapeezing this event.. We win if we send midget sailors! It's only about medals... not about fair competition. The effects are liekly to be silly then.

The Olympic dream BS is actually great marketing. Many an athlete is at odds with their MNA and despite being the best in the world... may not get to compete. You must be a suck up!

(Think about the bobsled designs that each country spends millions and to come up with the fastest sled.... its not about the sled team as a team racing similar sleds.. ... the Olympic committe y can change those people out at the last minute.)