Will squash be able to grapple with Wrestling for 2020 spot?

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Sep 07 2013 | 4:20 PM IST
The battle for the final spot at the 2020 Olympics has entered its business end with wrestling, squash and a combined bid from baseball-softball hoping to emerge stronger than ever from their existence crisis when the full IOC assembly will take a call on their future tomorrow.
The crucial vote during the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires, Argentina will see the culmination of a contest that began two years ago. One of the sports will join the 2020 Summer Games while the others will be left to ponder about their future outside of the Olympic programme.
Squash seems to be a front-runner in the battle of survival after the World Squash Federation, headed by its president N Ramachandran, delivered a dynamic and television-friendly presentation to the IOC Executive Board in Russia on May 29 before being shortlisted for tomorrow's vote.
This is the third consecutive bid by squash to join the Games and journey to get here has been a long one - 10 years in fact - having failed in 2005 in Singapore and 2009 in Denmark.
The WSF delegation is increasingly hopeful that its case to join the Games will succeed.
"Squash's journey to join the Olympic Games has been a long one. Our current bid began in earnest two years ago and over this time we have been through a robust process and travelled the world presenting our case. Sunday's presentation will be the culmination of a 10-year campaign by Squash to join the Olympic Games," said Ramachandran.
"Squash can offer something exciting to the Olympic experience. Squash would be low cost and easy to integrate into the Games with just 64 athletes. We could share a venue if required, or be located to showcase an iconic backdrop - such as in front of the Pyramids.
"We are a genuinely global sport, played in 185 countries by many millions across the world. We are growing in regions such as South America, central Europe, China, and India as well as in the more traditional areas including the United States. On Sunday, we demonstrate to the IOC that Squash is a sport that represents the future, not the past," he added.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Sep 07 2013 | 4:20 PM IST

Next Story