Here we go again.
You may have heard that our game has been shortlisted for the 2020 Olympics but did you hear the real reason we didn't get in last time? Mr. Ramachandran, president of the World Squash Federation, was quoted as saying that Rugby Sevens beat us out previously because, at that time, the "IOC was going through a bad phase because of recession in Europe and they needed additional revenue. Thus, rugby was included." Hmmm. So it wasn't because of poor ball visibility or the perceived impropriety of players arguing with referees? It was about the money? Duh.
(As an aside, the NBA has instituted a new policy meant to curtail complaining by players because, according to Commissioner David Stern, "that's not a good thing.")
The IOC hasn't decided where the 2020 Olympics are going to be held yet as they're still hyping the 2012 games in London, but I'm loathe to start getting excited so soon. Instead, I'm going to look forward to World Squash Day because it's only 10 days, not 8 years, away!
3 comments:
Great post Rob! Fortunately we're developing a great junior program, so 10 years from now we could have some serious non-arguing players dialed in for the Olympics.
p.s. have you heard about the National Squash Academy ;)
It always seems to come down to money and politics when choosing sports and host cities. Just ask women's ski jumping and also the city of Toronto. Very disappointing when one learns how the IOC really makes its decisions.
Squash is the world's best participation sport; and damn fine to watch live from a gallery. But it brings nothing to the Olympics. It televises poorly, and not just because of the tiny speedy ball. The players and racquets are speedy too.
Played in a small enclosed room, foreshortened by camera angles, with talented players making the impossible look easy, it's downright boring unless you're a squash player yourself.
Badminton is a similar game (except it does not have the disadvantage of being played in an enclosed room). How much time did you spend watching badminton at the last Olympics? Compared to say beach volleyball or track and field?
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