Sochi Boost For Squash Olympic Bid by Howard Harding
Vladimir Putin, IOC President Dr. Thomas Bach and WSF Chief Ramachandran
24 February 2014
- World Squash Federation President N Ramachandran, who attended the
Sochi Winter Olympic Games as the newly-elected President of the Indian
Olympic Association, is encouraged by the IOC vision to introduce new
sports to the Summer Games programme "sooner rather than later".
Ramachandran, who led
the Squash bid to be added the 2020 Olympic Games programme in Buenos
Aires last September, was elected President of the Indian Olympic
Association earlier this month.
Subsequent to the
election, the ban imposed on the IOA was lifted during the Sochi Games
- and, at the Invitation of the International Olympic Committee,
Ramachandran travelled to Sochi to raise the Indian tricolor at the
Athletes' village in the presence of Patrick Hickey, President European
Olympic Committees and Executive Board member of the IOC.
Vladimir Putin hosted
a dinner for all the Heads of the National Olympic Committees, at which
IOC President Dr. Thomas Bach introduced Ramachandran to the Russian
President (as pictured above).
"Naturally, I was able
to use my opportunities in Sochi to continue my quest to secure a place
for Squash on the Olympic Programme, and it is clear that the IOC do
have a vision that enables new sports to be admitted sooner rather than
later," said Ramachandran.
"Knowing this, I will definitely not let up in my efforts."
