While all of us in squash may feel
disappointed by Sunday's IOC decision, one benefit is that squash
received more global coverage in the last few months just as a
candidate for the Games than the sport has enjoyed arguably since the
inaugural Al Ahram International by the Pyramids in Egypt.
Wrestling and Baseball/Softball each have
incredible integrity and credibility in their respective ways.
The fact that squash received 22 votes, nearly as many as
Baseball/Softball, is a HUGE sign of respect by nearly one quarter of
the IOC delegates.
Squash is a fantastic sport either when
played between friends at a local club or when presented at a high
level, both on and off court. What was true Saturday is still
true Monday.
Squash has two endemic and unique assets:
it's the only global racquet sport in which opponents share the same
space and it is played in a portable box.
Let's rebrand our Squash 2020 campaign so
that by that year we a) eliminate the Let (which few regular sports
fans understand) and institute Fouls like football and basketball
(which all sports fans understand) and b) become one of the most
technologically innovative sports on the planet.
Let's keep evolving our glass court
showcase into a playing environment at the cutting edge of sport; one
that delivers sensory, experiential and informative value live on the
playing surface.
And let's keep envisioning a series of events at or in the world's most iconic locations.
That's our future and it will be valuable. Let's go.
