Message Brief from World Squash Federation: Olympic Bid 2016

This summarises the messages that Squash must communicate to the IOC. There are
only seven but we must communicate them every chance we get, through media
interviews, lobbying, our presence at events and exhibitions and in our final presentation
to the IOC in Lausanne in June.

If we communicate them consistently, frequently and clearly, we will get them across to
everyone that needs to know them and we will have a better chance of being elected into
the 2016 Olympic Games as a result.

Squash is the world’s healthiest, most exciting sport
Forbes Magazine concluded that squash was the world’s healthiest sport after a survey in 2006. Squash doesn’t take very long to play but players burn lots of calories while playing, so it’s great for young people today who want to get fit in the shortest possible time. At the elite level, squash is extremely athletic and exciting to watch, live and on TV.

Squash is a popular, accessible sport, played the world over
Squash is played in 175 countries by over 20 million people. Every continent contains recreational players and professionals. It is played by men and women, young and old. It’s easy to get started and the cost of equipment is low. There are courts all over the world and it’s easy to just turn up and have a game.

The game is well organised to take advantage of inclusion in the Olympic Games
The World Squash Federation (WSF) manages World Championships and these are fully integrated into the two world professional tours organised by the Professional Squash Association (PSA) and the Women’s International Squash Players’ Association (WISPA).

An Olympic Medal will be the sport’s highest honour
Every player agrees that the Olympic Games would take the sport to a different level and the Olympic Champion of Squash is a title that every player wants.

Squash’s top athletes will definitely compete
The world’s top men and women have all signed a pledge that they would compete in the Olympics. They will be supported in doing so by the WSF and their National Federations.

Squash can take the Olympic Games into new markets
Squash has world class athletes from countries that do not traditionally produce Olympians. Including squash in the Olympic Games will boost awareness of the Olympic Movement in these countries, and will allow new and different countries to win medals.

The impact of squash on the Olympic Games will be high, the cost low
Squash is a portable sport: a court requires minimal space and can be erected anywhere. Squash
tournaments have been held in many iconic locations around the world, attracting players and non-players to the sport. This makes squash an ideal sport for showcasing the host city.
The WSF has offered to donate the two portable courts needed for Olympic competition to the host city.

The WSF will use local squash clubs in the host city for training and practice, so squash can be staged without any investment in permanent facilities or infrastructure.