Squash looks set to end its decades-long bid for Olympic inclusion after Los Angeles 2028 proposed five new sports to be added to the Games programme in what organisers said was a “boldly reimagined sport lineup”.
Squash has been among nine sports vying for the nod from LA organising committee chiefs. The IOC is set to rubberstamp any new sports at its session in Mumbai on October 16, and the procedure looks a certainty.
Cricket, flag football and baseball and softball had previously looked set to be given the green light for the 2028 programme, while long-time bidders squash and lacrosse, which has US roots, have since come to the forefront as potential new sports.
“LA28’s proposed sports ignite the imagination on the field of play and drive culture off it. They’re relevant, innovative and community-based, played in backyards, schoolyards, community centers, stadiums and parks across the U.S. and the globe,” said LA28 chair Casey Wasserman.
“They will bring new athletes to the Games, engage diverse fanbases and expand the Games’ presence in digital spaces, further amplifying LA28’s mission to deliver an unparalleled experience.”
Last month we reported that approval hinged on Wasserman, regarded as the city’s biggest powerbroker in sports.
Tellingly, squash’s new media investment could have been pivotal, given that Mark Walter, who also owns LA Dodgers, has the city connections to keep the sport in the frame.
Squash is cost-effective and enviromentally friendly.
The fact that squash can be played at an existing venue has also seemingly swayed LA chiefs.
“In building the Olympic sport programme, we were willing to challenge the status quo and think differently about what’s possible for the Games in Los Angeles,” said LA28 CEO Kathy Carter.
“We approached the process holistically and authentically, ensuring that our decisions were grounded in the Games’ commitment to fiscal responsibility. And we’ve landed on a bold and balanced proposal that will energize the Games with culturally relevant competition and boundless possibility.”
An exciting milestone for squash – WSF
The fact that squash and lacrosse are being mentioned leaves the IOC’s athlete cap number at 10,500 with several questions.
It would likely mean that current sports on the programme would have to cut medal events.
This also means that squash would unlikely have both singles and doubles events. The current bid from squash — the WSF signed a non-disclosure agreement with the IOC not to discuss any of the details last year — has not made clear whether the format would be best-of-three, if included.
“The World Squash Federation (WSF), US Squash and the Professional Squash Association (PSA) welcome the decision by the LA28 Organising Committee to recommend squash for inclusion in the LA2028 Olympic sports programme,” the WSF said on Monday.
“The decision is a significant and exciting milestone in squash’s history as the sport nears inclusion in the Olympic Games for the first time.
“We will continue to work together with LA28 and the IOC throughout the next steps of the process and look forward to the outcome of the IOC Session in Mumbai on October 16th, where the decision on the selection of new sports will be ratified.”
Shortlisted sports still in running
Squash is up against rivals bids from motorsport, cricket, karate, baseball and softball, lacrosse, breaking, kickboxing, and American football.
Squash held an initial Zoom meeting this time last year. Shortlisted sports needed to meet certain criteria outlined by LA28 and the IOC, in areas such as environmental sustainability, universality, gender equality, integrity and fairness, popularity and host country interest, athlete safety and cost and complexity.
Cricket has been favourite for a 2028 berth since IOC president Thomas Bach gave an interview to CNBC-TV18 last month, saying he was in favour of cricket’s inclusion.
The world governing ICC has proposed a six-team event for both men and women.
An original announcement was due last month before the IOC delayed the decision. Talks have been ongoing for months.