Sailing at the 2020 Summer Olympics

Sailing at the 2020 Summer Olympics was held from 25 July to 4 August 2021 at the Enoshima Yacht Harbor in Enoshima, a venue that had also hosted the 1964 Games. For 2020, the harbor underwent significant regeneration, aligning with the International Olympic Committee's push for cost reduction, sustainability, and venue renewal. The event lineup remained unchanged from 2016, featuring the RS:X, Laser, Laser Radial, Finn, 470, 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17 classes. The only notable equipment change was the Nacra 17 switching to a foiling configuration.

The total number of sailors was cut from 380 to 350, and for the first time, an equal number of men and women competed. Qualification began at the 2018 Sailing World Championships in Aarhus, Denmark, where 101 spots—roughly 40 percent of the total quota—were awarded to the top-finishing nations. Additional places were available in the men's Laser and women's Laser Radial classes at the 2018 Asian Games and 2019 Pan American Games. Another 61 spots were distributed at the 2019 World Championships for all boat classes. Continental qualification regattas decided the remaining quota, while eligible National Olympic Committees could receive Tripartite Commission Invitations for the final spots. As host, Japan received one guaranteed quota place in each of the eight classes.

The competition used fleet racing, where all competitors start and sail the course together. Scoring followed the low-point system: first place earned 1 point, second place 2, and so on. Preliminary races were followed by a final Medal Race. The RS:X, 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17 classes held 12 preliminary races; the other classes held 10. After the preliminaries, the top ten boats in each class (those with the lowest total scores) advanced to the Medal Race. Each boat could exclude one race from its preliminary total, but the Medal Race could not be excluded and counted double points. The boat with the lowest overall total after all races won. Ties in the final rankings were broken in favor of the competitor or crew that finished higher in the Medal Race.