World Sailing has placed almost all of its staff on furlough ©World Sailing

World Sailing has placed almost all of its staff on furlough and has asked those earning over an undisclosed amount to take a 20 per cent pay cut until the end of the year in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

insidethegames understands around 80 per cent of World Sailing's staff have been furloughed until at least May 6.

Employees will receive their full salary as World Sailing has promised to fund the difference between the amount they will receive on furlough and their usual pay.

A "small number" of senior managers will remain at work at the organisation's London headquarters.

The World Sailing Board will discuss whether to extend furlough leave or allow staff to return to work after May 6.

World Sailing President Kim Andersen told insidethegames the move provided the organisation with "financial relief" amid economic uncertainty sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Andersen added the pay cuts and the decision to make use of the United Kingdom Government's furlough scheme meant World Sailing would not have to lay off any staff.

"We have cut operations and after May 6, we are going to look into how we can open up again," Andersen said.

World Sailing President Kim Andersen said the decision to place staff on furlough provided the organisation with
World Sailing President Kim Andersen said the decision to place staff on furlough provided the organisation with "financial relief" ©World Sailing

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics being postponed by a year has placed additional pressure on International Federations, particularly those which rely heaviest on the payout from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to survive.

Federations have also been left with an uncertain financial future because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has sparked a near-total shutdown of sport across the world.

The IOC, which has refused to clarify when they will receive their money, paid out a total of $540 million (£431 million/€495 million) to International Federations after the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The money is distributed using a system where federations are ranked according to their audience and size.

World Sailing, which sits in the fourth group of federations alongside the likes of canoeing, fencing, handball and wrestling, received $12 million (£9.7 million/€11 million) from the IOC for Rio 2016.

Analysis of World Sailing's accounts carried out by insidethegames last year showed World Sailing had anticipated cash-fall issues this year, which would have been resolved by the Olympic money had Tokyo 2020 taken place as planned.