The above course is only just designated the Olympic Course.

This was the course that was used years ago in the Olympics. If you also will notice, US Sailing also has a whole other set of courses designated as "Multihull" courses.

I doubt that the so-called "Olympic" course has been used in the games for quite some time. It is still used at traditional YC's occasionally.

As far as the "need" to send the boats out to one side of the course for safety....We have had spin boats up in the NE for quite a while, we also have a large # of new racers (quite a few more than in any other part of the Country I've raced) we have found out that a properly set offset mark clears things out at the windward mark wonderfully and safely.