From US Squash website, September 8, 2013
The International Olympic Committee (I.O.C.) voted today in Buenos Aires, Argentina to award wrestling entry into the 2020 Olympic Games, depriving squash a berth in the Olympic Programme for a third straight time.
The heated battle – contested through months of presentations and lobbying, value-added analysis and the evaluation of eight sports in their ability to meet nearly 40 different criteria — concluded with wresting gaining 49 votes of the 95 present, edging out fellow finalists squash and baseball/softball.
This was squash’s third formal attempt at securing a place in the Olympic Programme, and it was the only finalist to have never participated in the Games previously. Sports organizations around the world vocalized their opinions on the decision including the U.S. Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun, “While we’re obviously pleased to see wrestling remain on the program, the bids from baseball/softball and squash represented important advancements for their respective sports and the millions of athletes all over the world that participate in those sports. I’m hopeful that today’s decisions by the IOC do not inhibit the continued growth of each sport and that the Olympic Games remain a dream for all participants.”
World Squash Federation (WSF) President N Ramachandran, who led the Squash presentation at today’s IOC Session in Buenos Aires, admitted that he was heart-broken at the decision.
“Today’s decision is heart-breaking for the millions of Squash players around the world, particularly given the 10-year journey we have been on to join the Olympic Games Sports Programme,” said President Ramachandran.
“As the only new Olympic sport on today’s shortlist, we believed Squash offered something for the future and I still hope that our inclusion may still be possible.
“The feedback we have received from many IOC members for our campaign and our presentation has been very positive and I am encouraged by the vote we received today. We have much to offer the Olympic Movement and I am hopeful that today is not the end of our Olympic journey.”
US Squash Kevin Klipstein commented after the vote, “We congratulate wrestling on staying in the Games. While of course we are disappointed with the outcome of the voting today, we feel very proud of the bid effort we collectively put forth.
“The World Squash Federation, the men’s and women’s professional tours, and the player themselves in particular deserve our gratitude for how vested they were in the campaign. To have the players so supportive, engaged, and willing to do whatever necessary to move the sport forward is a great asset to the game. The entire squash community was extremely active, including all those who gave very generously to the 2020 campaign.
“The sport has such momentum, and the process forced the sport to innovate in glass court technology and the presentation of the sport, to push hard to develop a viable broadcast product globally, and to enhance the officiating structure for the benefit of the players and the fans. Awareness of squash is at an all-time high as a result of our bid effort, and the PSA (Professional Squash Association) has created an incredible broadcast product that takes the sport to a whole new level, and this will continue to pay dividends.
“The number of professional tournaments has increased worldwide, the prize purses are going up, parity in prize funds for men and women will soon be the norm, so the sport is on a very positive trajectory. It seems clear that squash would be an enhancement to the Olympic movement overall, and a great fit from every perspective. The process has strengthened not only the sport, but also the resolve of the squash community worldwide, and driven improvements to the game.
“We will build on this to maintain the momentum the sport has overall, and will continue to press the case at the appropriate time with the IOC for a place in the Olympic Programme.”
