Women`s, Men`s World number Ones in Squash Olympic delegation

St Petersburg: A Squash delegation that includes women`s world number one Nicol David and men`s world number one Ramy Ashour, on Monday, arrived here ahead of a crucial presentation to the IOC Executive Board, where the sport will make its case to join the 2020 Olympic Games.

The IOC Executive Board is expected to reduce the current list of eight sports bidding to join the 2020 Games following presentations on May 29. World Squash Federation President N Ramachandran, who leads Squash`s presentation team, said, "An important theme of our presentation will be the scale and breadth of innovations that squash has introduced over the last few years. These include all glass courts, professional sports presentation, referee video review and the latest broadcast techniques such as multiple camera angles, Super Slow Mo replay and our plans to introduce Super HD." The president said they will be stressing the global reach of squash and it would also be easy and low cost to integrate the sport into the Olympic Games. "It is played in 185 countries by millions across the world, is growing in countries as diverse as Paraguay, India, Egypt and the United States. Squash would be easy and low cost to integrate with just 64 athletes, and two competition courts that can be built in a few days," he said. Malaysia`s seven time world champion Nicol David, said, "For so long I have dreamed of competing in the Olympic Games - so to be here, presenting to the IOC Executive Board, is a true honour. I`m 29 years old but I still think I could play at the very top level in 2020 and I would happily trade my seven world titles for the chance of Olympic Gold." Egypt`s Ramy Ashour, added: "Squash reflects the essence of Olympic sport - it`s gladiatorial, physically demanding and mentally challenging. It`s a true sport, and already played in every major multi sport games - including the Asian, Commonwealth, Pan Am and World Games." The final decision on which sport will join the 2020 Olympic Programme will be made by the IOC membership at the IOC Session in Buenos Aires on September 8, 2013. PTI