President Ramachandran and world number one James Willstrop lead IOC squash presentation

By Mike Rowbottom

December 17 - World Squash Federation (WSF) President N Ramachandran and men's world number one James Willstrop will lead this week's delegation to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne where the sport will present its bid to join the programme for the 2020 Olympic Games.

After unsuccessful attempts to be selected for both the 2012 and 2016 Games, squash has consolidated a variety of initiatives which the WSF will present to the IOC Programme Commission on Wednesday (December 19).

The presentation follows the IOC inspection visit to Hong Kong earlier this month where the final stages of the 27th edition of the Hong Kong Open were staged in spectacular style on an all-glass show court sited at the Cultural Centre Piazza overlooking the waterfront at Tsim Sha Tsui.

"This is an important milestone for squash's ambition to join the Olympic Games Sports Programme," said Ramachandran.

"The presentation team is looking forward to demonstrating to the IOC Programme Commission how we have listened and learnt since our last bid, the innovations that have been introduced into squash over the last few seasons, and what squash can bring to the Olympic Movement if we are successful in our campaign."

The IOC visited the 27th edition of the Hong Kong Open earlier this month being held in the spectaluar all-glass show court in the Cultural Centre Piazza

Ramachandran and Willstrop will be joined in the presentation party by WSF chief executive Andrew Shelley and Mexico's Reyna Pacheco.

Tijuana-born 18-year-old Pacheco, now a freshman at Columbia University, arrived in the United States as an illegal immigrant, aged four.

Her troubled life was "totally transformed" when she discovered squash at an urban initiative in San Diego, where she rapidly became the best junior in the programme.

Contact the writer of this story at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .


Related stories
December 2012: Squash Olympic bid able to shine after rain clouds lift
November 2012: Squash appoints firm to develop innovative court technology as Olympic bid showcased
November 2012: Squash showcases itself to IOC at Hong Kong Open with 2020 Olympics target
October 2012: Exclusive - Squash has listened and learnt from IOC in bid to make 2020 Olympics, says WSF President
October 2012: Mike Rowbottom - Rock guitarist returns to his favourite riff – let squash into the Olympics