Squash Uncomfortable Question of the Day

Squash Uncomfortable Question of the Day - Olympic Efforts

Olympic Efforts Misplaced?
October 29, 2008
By Shawn Patton

Okay I'm ready for further hate mail ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) but is it me or does anyone else share the opinion that we're ill-advisedly "betting the farm" on our sport gaining full Olympic status?

I don't question many benefits would accrue to our sport if squash is successful - in what seems like an interminable quest for a Holy Grail, but wonder if this Olympics fixation by sport governing bodies and other stakeholders and indeed Joe Squash Public has distracted us from other more fundamental efforts and responsibilities?

Realistically speaking though: Board Meetings, Strategy Planning Sessions, Launch Parties, etc, etc are certainly a more sexy topic to discuss and attempt to achieve than "in the trenches", grass-roots development efforts.

Bluntly speaking when I look at squash's marketing efforts and effectiveness to-date and in comparison to the other sports vying for Olympic status (Golf and Rugby especially) I am reminded of one of my grandfather's expressions: "You can't expect to win a horse race riding on Donkeys."

Official Efforts
World Squash Federation - Olympics Page
2012 Squash Olympics Promo Video

Squash360 Coverage
Squash Olympic Hopes - Comments & Reaction
Squash and the Olympics
Squash Olympic Strategy Planned in Kuala Lumpur
British number one's frustration that squash won't be in 2012
Squash Shortlisted For 2016 Olympic Games

SquashBlog Coverage
Shabana attacks WSF over Olympic dithering
English players reflect on missed Olympic opportunity
Opposition sets out stall for Olympic inclusion
IOC gives squash new hope

SquashTalk Coverage
Just another version of the Old School tie
Olympic Fever

SquashSite Coverage

Related Articles
Unified bid for 2016 Olympics by golfing bodies
Rugby in the Olympic Games
Help Get Rugby Back into the Olympic Games
Squash 'deserves Olympic place'
Olympic Squash? Just Maybe...