Squash players press for Olympic inclusion

Frustrated by two failed bids to get squash into the Olympics, world No. 1 Nicol David and her fellow players have embarked on a campaign to raise the sport’s profile in an attempt to win over IOC chiefs in Hong Kong this week.

One sport will be added for the 2020 Games with squash up against karate, the Chinese martial art of wushu, baseball, softball, roller sports, wakeboarding and sport climbing.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will make its decision on a host city for the 2020 Games and which sport to add next September.

IOC observers are inspecting the Hong Kong Open as part of their squash evaluation.

“Hong Kong is the perfect place for the IOC’s inspection,” the South China Morning Post quoted David as saying.

“They have always put on a good show and the players love coming here. I have no doubt that we can impress the IOC.”

Reuters