Sport

World squash chief left ‘devastated’ by 2020 Olympics snub

Tokyo organisers have opted to shortlist surfing, sports climbing and skateboarding

Tokyo 2020 organisers have opted not to shortlist squash for the games. Photograph: Reuters
Tokyo 2020 organisers have opted not to shortlist squash for the games. Photograph: Reuters
Mon Sept 28 2015 - 12:55

World squash chief Narayana Ramachandran has been left ‘devastated’ by the Tokyo Organising Committee’s decision to overlook the sport as an addition to the 2020 Olympics program.

With the International Olympic Committee ruling last year allowing host cities to propose additional events for their respective games, squash was on a shortlist of eight but missed out on the final cut — along with bowling and wushu, a martial art.

Instead the Tokyo organisers selected baseball-softball, karate, skateboarding, sports climbing and surfing as the five sports they are proposing to the IOC that should be added to their program — despite squash being one of three sports shortlisted for inclusion at an IOC vote in Argentina in 2013.

While a statement from the Tokyo Organising Committee claimed the sports represent ‘traditional and emerging, youth-focused events’, World Squash Federation president Ramachandran was unhappy with the decision.

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“I don’t believe we could have done more to get our message across to both the Tokyo 2020 Games hosts and the IOC,” he said.

“Squash could bring something special as an addition to the program. After our 12-year journey to join the Olympic Games program, and the opportunity of a ‘second chance’ after the heart-break of missing out in our first 2020 bid in Buenos Aires two years ago, I am utterly devastated on behalf of our great sport that our dream of taking part in the Tokyo Games cannot now be realised.

“I know I speak on behalf of the millions of squash players around the world for whom the opportunity of seeing their sport participate in the Olympics has been an absolute priority — and, like me, they will be heartbroken.”

Despite the setback, Ramachandran is keen to keep fighting to get the sport on the Olympic agenda at some point beyond 2020.

“This is not the end for squash,” he added.

“Our sport, played by vast numbers week in and week out, flourishes at every level from recreational to events around the world.

“We will go from strength to strength while we continue to target participation at a future date in the Games.”