WORLD SQUASH NEWS

Squash Receives Olympic Boost

Squash received a major boost today (Tuesday) with the confirmation that the sport has been approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as one of five Recognised Federations that should be "studied further" with a view to inclusion in the Olympic Games programme for 2012.

The IOC is assessing the merits of all the sports and disciplines that were on the programme of the Athens Games, plus the five selected Recognised Sports:  Golf, Rugby, Roller Sports, Karate and Squash.  The final decision on the Olympic Programme for 2012 will be taken in July 2005.

Susie Simcock, Emeritus President of the World Squash Federation, commented:  "Squash is played by 15 million enthusiasts in more than 150 countries across the world and is in all other major multi-sports events, including the Commonwealth Games, World Games, Pan American Games, All-Africa Games and Asian Games. 

"We have fought for 20 years to achieve our dream of being on the Olympic programme, in the sure knowledge that every top Squash player would rank an Olympic medal as the greatest prize in the sport.

"This review by the IOC is wonderful news for Squash as we are now able to present our case for inclusion alongside the current Olympic sports and other major sports bidding for a place," added the Federation's former President.

Replying to the news in a letter from Olympic Games Executive Director Gilbert Felli and Sports Director Kelly Fairweather, WSF Secretary General Ted Wallbutton wrote: 

"The worldwide Squash family will be overjoyed to learn that our sport is to be included in the review of the Olympic Programme.  We are delighted that such an objective and unbiased review has been put in place and will be privileged to report on how Squash meets the 33 criteria set by the IOC Executive Board.

"Please convey our thanks to President Rogge and his colleagues on the Executive Board for giving us this great opportunity to achieve our ambition and be included on the programme of the world's greatest sporting event."

On hearing the news, the WSF's esteemed President Jahangir Khan, the record ten-times British Open champion, added:  "I know every Squash player in the world will rally around the WSF at this important time for the sport.  2012 is a long time ahead, but if we achieve our objective our best players will have the honour of showing their skills in the Olympic Games, a privilege which I would have loved to have shared."