PRESS : Singapore abuzz at Olympic inclusion
Singapore community abuzz as cricket, squash, baseball and softball set for Olympic inclusion
The inclusion of cricket, squash, baseball and softball in the Los Angeles 2028 programme has bowled over the local community, who say being part of the Olympics will galvanise these sports.
UPDATE 16-Oct : all five sports – including Squash – have been officially added to the LA 2028 Program !!
The International Olympic Committee took the decision – flag football and lacrosse have also been added by the organisers – in Mumbai on Monday, with all of the contenders being approved.
Singapore Squash Rackets Association president Patrick Thio is excited about the sport’s potential Olympic debut, and the impact it could have on the local fraternity.
“We hope that this will inspire our junior athletes to continue their pursuit of sporting excellence for the years to come.
“As part of our efforts to give our junior athletes aspirational goals, we aim to bring high-calibre competitions, such as the Singapore Squash Open, to our shores.”
Men’s world No. 1 Ali Farag of Egypt, who will play at the Singapore Squash Open in November, added:
“An Olympic gold medal is the dream of every athlete, and the opportunity to compete at the Olympics will motivate the entire international community for years to come.”
WSF, PSA and US Squash Report
The World Squash Federation, US Squash, and the Professional Squash Association Celebrate the Inclusion of Squash in the LA28 Olympic Games
The World Squash Federation (WSF), US Squash and the Professional Squash Association (PSA) welcome the decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to officially select squash for inclusion in the LA28 Olympic Games sports programme.
WSF, US Squash and PSA extend their gratitude to the Organising Committee of the LA28 Olympic Games and the IOC for recognising the value that squash brings to the Olympic Games. Squash’s inclusion in the LA28 Olympic Games will help the IOC and LA28 advance its mission to “deliver an unparalleled experience” for athletes, fans, and the entire sports community. Squash will also leave a positive and lasting legacy in the Los Angeles community where youth in the region will have the access and opportunity to play and compete in the sport for generations to come.
This momentous decision provides squash’s world-class athletes the opportunity to compete on the biggest sporting stage in the world, with two medal events – men’s and women’s singles competitions.
WSF President Zena Wooldridge said: “On behalf of the entire global squash community, I would like to express my immense delight at squash’s inclusion in the LA28 Olympic Games. Squash is an amazingly dynamic, diverse and demanding sport that is perfectly suited for the Olympic Games. Everyone involved in our sport is elated to be LA28 bound and we look forward to being part of an unparalleled Olympic Games experience.”
US Squash Chief Executive Kevin Klipstein said: “The inclusion of squash in the LA28 Olympic Games is a significant breakthrough for the sport. Being part of the Olympic Games has been a long-held goal for the squash community, and inclusion will serve as a catalyst to increase awareness of what is already a major participatory sport globally with a long and diverse history. Access to the sport and the opportunities it provides will continue to increase for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. We look forward to supporting our Team USA and the squash community in the lead up to – and beyond – the Games.”
PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough said: “Our athletes have worked tirelessly to earn this recognition and we are grateful for the opportunity to see them compete for glory at the LA28 Olympic Games. This inclusion marks a significant milestone in squash’s journey, and I look forward to watching our players inspire the world with their incredible skill and athleticism on the biggest stage of all.”
United States No.1 Amanda Sobhy said: “It’s everything that you can dream of as an athlete to be able to compete in the Olympic Games. To be able to compete for an Olympic gold medal, and just say that you were an Olympian, is something that no one can ever take away from you. To have the chance to compete at LA28 and compete in front of friends and family with a home crowd, it would just be so meaningful.”
Additional details on the LA28 Olympic Games sporting schedule will be announced by the LA28 Organising Committee. The squash community, both in the United States and around the world, embraces the spirit of unity, sportsmanship, and excellence that the Olympics represents and eagerly anticipates the LA28 Olympic Games.
