WSF President 'Devastated' By Tokyo Recommendation by Howard Harding 28 September 2015
- World Squash Federation (WSF) President N Ramachandran is
'devastated' by today's news that the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee
has not recommended to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that
Squash be added to the programme of the 2020 Olympic Games.
"After our 12-year journey to join the Olympic Games programme, 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," said Ramachandran.
"I don't believe we could have done more to get our message across to
both the Tokyo 2020 Games hosts and the IOC of how Squash could bring
something special as an addition to the Programme.
"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.
"However, this is not the end for Squash," added Ramachandran. "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."
