DECISION 2016: Squash deserves credit for never giving up on Olympic dream
ON Thursday the International Olympic Committee convene in Berlin to trim a shortlist of seven sports aspiring for a place at the 2016 Games down to two.
Last week, each of the sports - baseball, golf, karate, roller sports, rugby sevens, softball and squash - made their case. Now Sportsbeat reporters choose their personal preference and Chris Cottrell is backing squash.
IF at first you don’t succeed, try, try and try again.
DESERVING THEIR CHANCE: Squash is already an established part of the Commonwealth Games and other multi-sport events (Getty Images)
It’s fairly basic proverb but it’s one that the World Squash Federation (WSF) has had to tell itself over and over again for the past four years.
At the IOC session in Singapore 2005, the sport came so close and yet so far.
Of the five potential candidates to replace baseball and softball on the Olympic programme for London 2012, squash and karate were voted the two most suitable.
But when it came down to a vote for their inclusion, neither made the cut. With an inexplicably high two-thirds majority of affirmative votes required, squash could only muster 38 percent of the IOC members’ support.
Olympic accreditation has been a long-term dream for the WSF so there was never any chance they would just give up and I’m one of the many who are glad they didn’t.
It’s not that I particularly dislike any of the other sports - I can get round 18 holes without too many issues, I used to ruck and maul with the best of them and I’m a dab hand at karate (okay, so one of those claims may be a slight exaggeration).
But, for me, squash is the standout candidate as an Olympic event and my reasoning is two-fold.
Firstly, when it comes to watching an Olympic Games, I want to see elite athletes, preferably some of them British, in exciting competition.
There’s no question you have to be in peak physical condition to hold your own in the world of squash - you won’t find a John Daly or Miguel Cabrera in the Olympic squash competition - and it’s impossible not to be impressed by the agility and stamina on display with rallies changing pace in a second.
The excitement of an elite-level squash match is also difficult to dispute. High-octane rallies can go on for more than 50 shots and it’s hard to believe some of the retrievals that are made.
And, importantly for me, Blighty would be ably represented - we’ve currently got three Brits in the top ten of both the male and female world rankings.
Secondly, I like to watch sports where I am inspired to give it a go myself afterwards and squash fits comfortably into this category.
You don’t need to spend hundreds of pounds on equipment and you don’t need a bunch of other people or a referee to get started.
If you’ve ever played squash, you will already know how much fun it is and I would question anyone who claimed they didn’t get huge satisfaction from repeatedly pummelling a ball against a wall as hard as you can.
What’s more, it’s completely exhausting. Of course, you can have a leisurely knock and a social chat but if you’re anything like me, you’ll be out there to win at all costs.
What do you think? Comment now or vote in our poll.
Read Sportsbeat's James Toney make the case for roller sports while George Scott is backing rugby sevens.
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Comments
credit for never giving up on Olympic dream
Good article.
For those who question pros v amateurs - the difference between tennis and squash is stark. A 1st round loser at Wimbledon earned more than the Ramy did in prize money for becoming world chamipon.
The argument that pros wouldn't give 100% is rubbish.
If you want comparable sports look at badminton and the exposure it received when Gail Emms (sp) and her doubles partner got as a result of their olympic exploits. Similarly ask any of your local diving clubs what Tom Daly is doing for participation in their sport.
The reason tennis doesn't work for me in the Olympics (and golf won't either) is that an Olympic Gold will never be the pinnacle of their sport. Every pro squash player I have spoken to except 1 has said to me that Olympic Gold would be.
Fingers crossed for tomorrow as it will transform our sport in more ways than most people imagine (e.g. there is an ESF Social Fund pot of funds available to grant bursaries for people who wish to follow coaching courses - 80% is allocated for Olympic Sports!)
Squash
Totally agreed mainser, you nicked all my best points lol!!!
Olympic gold would be the pinnacle for all squash players, no-one should doubt the commitment of the guys and girls on the two tours to winning it.
The Olympic is about television audiences and money - amateur players bring neither which is why amateurism died in the Olympic movement in the 1980s.
Lets get behind squash - lets not be seen to be bickering around ourselves.
Obviously a lot of squash
Obviously a lot of squash fans here and fair enough but the sport just doesnt translate to television, I know you'll argue but I've tried watching with an open mind and just given up.
I agree with the pinnacle of sport argument so golf is out for me and rugby sevens is just a poor mans derivative of the 15-man code.
Personally I'd have none of these seven and send the IOC back to the drawing board.
Amateur squash players
Bad call Eric, harsh reality check but no-one cares about amateurs in sport when it comes to attending or watching on television. Sponsors don't care either and money greases the wheels. Squash without the pros has no chance of being voted in. If you enjoying watching amateurs then go down your local club.
Reality check
The only thing has is moronic, oxy or otherwise, is thinking that any gives a toss about amateur sport.
My preference is golf, a game I play and enjoy watching and following but I couldnt name five current amateur golfer and I follow the sport closely.
As soon as an amateur becomes any good, they turn pro.
Tiger Woods is on record btw as saying an Olympic gold WOULD mean as much as any major title, so all the golf critics should remember that.
RE: Yes to Squash / No to Professionals
Eric, I'm sorry but the days of the Olympics being for amateurs are long gone. The IOC want their event to be the best of the best, not the best of the rest. If squash proposed amateur players I can guarantee it wouldn't receive a hope in hell of being included.
Its very unfair on all the pro players, who deserve their chance to compete at this level.
Imagine the tennis tournament for only for amateurs - do you know any tennis amateurs btw - no Nadal or Federer and no crowds and no television audience.
Be realistic, lets get squash in and get the best players in the world battling it out for gold. Anything else is madness.
Btw
Btw, Federer lost in the quarterfinals in 2008 Olympics to James Blake (whom he has beaten the 8 other times they have played). I'm sure it was because Blake was so inspired by his patriotism. In 2004, the final was Nicolás Massú (best result in major: 4th round) over Mardy Fish (best result in major: QF). Were you glued to your couch for that one? You can't say that the top players are giving 100% - so why bother?
Be realistic
The reason why baseball was dropped from the Olympics is that the IOC were angry the top players were not competing. If squash doesnt bring their star names it has no chance. Nice sentiment but no chance Eric.
Lets just get behind squash and not ask for too much. Besides everyone seems to think golf and rugby has it sown up :(!!!
Sorry, but...
@JS: "If squash doesnt bring their star names..." - that statement is a bit oxymoronic, don't you think? My bet is if you asked the pros about the prospect of playing - the collective response would be apathetic at best. I'd rather watch an accomplished amateur play at 100% vs. a pro playing at 50%.
Response to Eric
Sorry Eric I've also got to disagree as well.
It's outright insulting to players like Karim Darwish to believe they would only play at 50 percent during the Olympics. Not all sportsmen need money to perform - an Olympic gold is still a prized thing.
A key part of the bidding process was that the WSF got a pledge from their top players, committing to compete at the Olympics - which they all did willingly.
I respect your opinion but I think you are in a very small minority.
Going w/ the flow
jento, There are excellent players at the university level (non-pro) who are awesome at all sports (including tennis) and are more deserving of the opportunity. They are usually late-teens/early 20-somethings who may have never travelled out of their respective countries to compete. What a potential thrill for them to attempt to qualify and compete!
Pros won't play as hard because they don't want to risk injury / professional career. I'd rather see a hungrier player play for the honor of being the Olympic champion. Perhaps it could be a springboard to a professional career. Casual non-squash fans won't know the difference between pro/amateur (e.g. when I watch badminton/table tennis - I'm just impressed simply by the their high-level skill). I don't need to see Darwish/Gaultier/Ashour compete a week after the Malaysian Open where they've played for cash (even though I idolize all of these players). I can watch them any time. I don't feel that 'everyone else is doing it' is a very strong argument.
Yes to Squash / No to Professionals
I would love to see squash in the Olympics. However, I feel that the field should be limited to amateur players. Professionals are fortunate to earn money by playing a sport they love and I don't think paid players should play in the Olympics. The Olympics are supposed to represent the purity of sport. Top amateur players also play at a very high level and deserve the exposure and chance to compete for their countries. Pros play enough tournaments already and have worldwide recognition. I think the pro player participation in basketball shows how much of a farce the game becomes when this is allowed. How good is it to watch the US beat a smaller country by 60 points. It's a total ego play and squash should hold itself to a higher standard.
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