Hope springs eternal in squash's bid to join the Olympic family
Players and officials keep their fingers crossed after IOC head promises another review
There is a glimmer of hope in the eyes of Sarah Fitz-Gerald. She is a believer again - just like the rest of the squash fraternity in Hong Kong this week, reviving the dream of achieving Olympic status in 2020.
The bounce is back in squash. After being let down by the International Olympic Committee, which chose to reinstate wrestling rather than keep its promise to bring in a new sport into the Olympic family, the squash world has perked up again after new IOC president Thomas Bach hinted at the possibility the number of Olympic sports may be increased for the 2020 Games in Tokyo.
"Yes, there is hope again," says Australian five-time world champion Fitz-Gerald, who was part of the World Squash Federation delegation that went to Buenos Aires in September to bid for inclusion in the Olympics.
What he is saying is he will reduce the number of athletes and make room for other sports. This has given us renewed hope
"For Thomas Bach to say these things, obviously he believes that more sports in the Olympics are achievable. He has hinted at making changes and being new, he probably wants to make changes and give purpose to his presidency," added Fitz-Gerald, widely regarded as one of the great women players.
Following an audience with Pope Francis, the German - who took over from Jacques Rogge - suggested the limit of 28 sports at the Olympics might be reviewed.
"We've started to study the possible procedural changes. Two limits are insurmountable - the number of athletes taking part and the minimum number of fixed stadiums required from the cities. The rest is under discussion. Currently, we're at 28 sports, or better, federations, taking part," Bach told Italian newspaper .
"Perhaps we won't have to cancel disciplines to increase and keep the number of athletes fixed but just reduce the quota. First, the concept has to be clarified and then we'll act. We can go from 26 to 27, 28, 29 or 30 sports.
"The [Olympic] charter can also be amended, also removing the limitation of the choice to be made seven years before. There can be more elasticity. We'll talk to Ricci Bitti, chairman of the ASOIF [Association of Summer Olympic International Federations] and a very open and constructive man, about it. Perhaps a change can be made with a view to Tokyo 2020."
