Let's Talk Squash - SUSPENDED

manus · Prolific Contributor Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 202

do people here think that the inclusion of squash in the olympics would make a difference to the sport? i had this conversation with someone the other night and that person was of the opinion that inclusion would not make any difference my opinion is that it would make a massive difference, not just because of the exposure to a worldwide audience but because it would give the top players something to really strive for in their career. what better than playing squash for your country in the olmpics?? the commonwealth games just isnt the same really. i think inclusion would give the game of squash the kick it really needs to get the sport going. so sad that its not included yet, very frustrating for us players............

Pedro · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 9:50 pm Post subject:

The olympics would be a big boost for each countries national squash associations in the form of funding. It is much easier to lobby for money to win medals than have no ultimate or tangible result like we are faced with now.
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bendi36 · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 11:32 pm Post subject:

Inclusion would only make a big difference for that sport if it wasn't already big. All the small sports such as squash, badminton, archery etc would love to be in the olympics for the exposure. Sports like soccer... who cares if there in?? Tennis is another big one and noone good even shows up for the olympics.
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Celeripes · Contributor Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 18 Location: Brazil

It is obvious that would make a difference; olympic sports attract not only more attention but more money as well!

Adrian19 · Prolific Contributor Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 230

Yes, I think it would make a huge positive difference. In no way would it hurt the game!
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squashclub · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 11:58 pm Post subject:

I wish I were wrong, but I don't see olymipcs as doing anything major for sqaush. It is a thing of the past . Nowadays people are tuned into a bazillion tv and internet channels, so a 30-second shot of squash on one TV channel is hardly going to get noticed.
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bendi36 · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 12:55 am Post subject:

Hmm probably true. In the commonwealth games I was trying to get squash all the time and they only ever showed about 5minutes of it continuously. Natalie Grinham, an Australian, won 3 gold medals which should have been massive news and I only heard it mentioned once. I think squash in the olympics would be similiar.
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nmc8 · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 7:34 am Post subject:

It think it may do squash more harm than good to be in the Olympics but I do not believe it will be the savior of the game. My fear would be that the administrators would focus all there efforts on the Olympics and forget the day to day things that actually may help the game more.

In essence the Olympics is every 4 years the tour is day after day after day year after year, that is what needs the focus. Those minority sports that are in the Olympics do not receive anymore exposure and we do not read anymore about them. It is a 1 week every 4 years focus that could distract the games rulers away from the real problems.

Regarding the players if they are not motivated by the Worlds, British Open and other prestigious tournaments around the world then thats their issue but the Olympics does not make or break a career in a minority sport.

So in general no great shake whether in or out but probably a distraction the game does not need.

NMC8

Adrian19 · Prolific Contributor Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 230

Naah, it'd actually do 'more good than harm'. Not the other way round. Might be good for some players young and old to dream of winning Olympic Gold.

Should they get rid of squash in the Commonwealth Games or the Pan-Am games? Aren't those games 'distractions' too then?

I guess all those players in the WSF Olympic promo video were wrong in wanting to play in the Olympics. Probably best for them too to not have the "distraction" of playing in the Olympics... what a nuisance it would be for them...
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squish · Prolific Contributor Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 95

Badminton and table tennis have been in the olympics for a long time. In Beijing you can expect thousands of screaming fans at the matches with millions watching at home. If the olympics were hosted by Egypt or maybe Pakistan one could expect similar support for squash, but London and Sydney probably not.

Calsquasher · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 3:53 pm Post subject:

Olympic squash will be a huge deal in small countries like Egypt, Malaysia, and Pakistan where squash is popular and Olympic heroes are few and far between. It will not make a difference in larger countries like the US where medals are a dime a dozen and squash merely a blip on the radar. I remember when Lee Lai Shan won Hong Kong's first gold medal in windboarding. She was treated like a national hero! The same would apply in the aforementioned countries when Shabana, Ramy and David bring home their hardware.
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Adrian19 · Prolific Contributor Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 230

To publicise squash it might not make a difference.... but I know for a fact it would be immensely important to all the young competitive squash players out there training hard that they could one day make it to the Olympics!
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bendi36 · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:26 am Post subject:

Kids don't dedicate their life to a sport to win a gold medal. I think it would be an added incentive. Adrian I would disagree with your use of the phrase 'immense difference'.
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