SQUASH BIDS FOR A PLACE ON THE OLYMPIC PROGRAMME IN 2016 

Since 1986 the World Squash Federation has been working with the International Olympic Committee towards the target of Squash becoming an Olympic Sport. The benefits to Squash of being on the programme are enormous:  We would attract increased media coverage; make the sport accessible to a new generation of players; generate new development revenue; and bring more nations into the Squash family as National Olympic Committees recognise the attributes of the sport and the opportunity for Olympic medals.

The Bid for 2012

Following a detailed review process by the IOC in 2005, two sports, Baseball and Softball were voted off the programme for 2012. This allowed IOC members to vote on the inclusion of two new sports to make the maximum of 28 sports.  Five “non-Olympic” sports – Squash, Roller Sports, Golf, Karate and Rugby Sevens – had been studied by the Olympic Programme Commission as part of its two-year analysis. From these five “non-Olympic” sports, the IOC members selected Squash and then Karate as the two sports which could potentially be chosen to join the Olympic programme for London 2012.  For such a selection to be endorsed, however, a two-thirds majority was needed, since any “non-Olympic” sport must become an Olympic sport and listed as such in the Olympic Charter under Rule 46. Ultimately, neither Squash nor Karate obtained this two thirds majority and will therefore not be included for London 2012.

SQUASH AND THE OLYMPIC GAMES 2016

OLYMPIC PROGRAMME COMMISSION, LAUSANNE, 14TH NOVEMBER 2008

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Olympic Dream
An Olympic medal would be the most important prize in a Squash player’s career and the Olympic Games would, unquestionably, be the most important event in the sport. Every top player in the world guarantees to play in the Olympics if eligible.
Universality
Squash is played by an estimated 15 – 20 million people in over 155 countries – with more than a quarter of a million registered athletes and over 600 professional athletes. The WSF has 143 Member Nations, of which 134 have National Olympic Committees.
Spread of Medals
19 countries are represented in the top 32 of the Men’s and Women’s World Rankings. A 32 draw Olympic event would be of the highest standard of play and would, on current rankings, feature 8 of the Top 10 Men in the World and 9 of the Top 10 Women. 35 Nations would be represented, as would a range of ethnic backgrounds.
Squash For All
Squash is above all a ‘participant sport’ and is a perfect way to get active and fit, counter obesity and enjoy stimulating competition. Squash is a Sport for All and is perfectly suited to today’s lifestyle – it is easy to learn, gives maximum exercise in minimum time, is suitable for all ages and can be played by anyone, anywhere, anytime. Squash has real health and recreational benefits for society and was voted ‘The world’s healthiest sport’ by Forbes Magazine. The vast majority of administrators in Squash are, or have been, regular players.
Youth
Junior Squash is an area of rapid growth, both at recreational and elite levels. At club level there is significant growth in young players, worldwide. At elite level the 2008 World Men’s Junior Championships in Switzerland boasted a record entry and World Junior Championships for girls and boys will now be held annually following demand from WSF Member nations.
Elite Squash
Squash has flourishing, world-wide professional tours for Men and Women in 50 countries. World Championships have been held annually for over 40 years for Men and Women at Individual, National Team, Junior and Masters levels and for players with hearing disabilities. Athletes are represented on every World Squash Federation commission.
Cohesion
WSF Member Nations have a structural framework that encourages participation and excellence. Programmes include development in urban areas, education linked projects amongst disadvantaged youth and introductory schemes at district, regional, state and national level.
Gender Balance
Women account for 30% of all recreational players and 37% of professional athletes. The WSF board has led the way internationally by having a 60/40 male/female breakdown since 1991.
Major Games
Squash is played in over 20 Multi-Sport Games including the World Games, All-Africa Games, Asian Games, Pan-American Games, Commonwealth Games (in which it has been named a ‘core sport’), World University Championships and World Masters Games. It appears on the programme of almost all Regional and Sub-Regional Games. In 1991 Squash was played in only 2 Multi-Sport Games and this dramatic growth gives a strong indication of its credentials for Olympic inclusion.
Anti-Doping
Squash has a strong anti-doping culture and wide dope testing programme. The number of positive tests in the past decade has been negligible. Squash is WADA compliant.
The Olympic Event
Squash in the Olympic Games would feature a 32 draw Men’s & Women’s event, with a maximum of 2 athletes per NOC. It would be played on all-glass, demountable courts which are inexpensive for the Host City and leave no ‘white elephant facility’ problems. There would be 17 playing sessions with a capacity of 5000 spectators.
Value Equation
Squash is a ‘high value’ sport for Organising Committees as facilities required for an Olympic event can be temporary, compensating for relative lack of ticket income. Training facilities are already available in all major world cities, including those bidding to Host the 2016 Olympic Games, but an option to add dedicated training facilities that will create a legacy for the local community might be considered by the host city.
Television
Aided by all-glass courts, TV production technology has developed positively in the past few years and Squash is now regularly featured on TV in more than 125 countries on all continents. New technical developments have significantly improved ball visibility.
Web Streaming
Squash was a leader in sport web-streaming and in the past three years has attracted large audiences. The last two World Championships each reached audiences in over 75 countries while PSALIVE.tv features Men’s and Women’s Tour events and has over 30,000 paid subscribers.
Athleticism
The most important feature of Squash. Squash is supremely athletic – a dynamic, competitive, skilful and physically challenging sport with one-against-one matches decided on objective results. There is no place to hide on a Squash court. 

SQUASH AND THE OLYMPIC GAMES: A PERFECT MATCH