Squash's Olympic Journey: The Road to LA 2028

Introduction

Squash, a fast-paced racket sport played within four walls, has long aspired to join the Olympic Games. For decades its global community campaigned for inclusion, viewing Olympic status as the pinnacle of recognition. These efforts, spanning generations, faced repeated setbacks before finally achieving a breakthrough.

In 2023 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved squash for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, a historic milestone in the sport's history. This report traces the key milestones in squash's bids, examines why prior attempts failed, profiles the organizations and individuals who drove the campaign, details the current status after the recent decision, and looks at future prospects for squash on the Olympic stage.

Historical Overview of Squash's Olympic Bids

Squash's pursuit of Olympic inclusion dates back many decades. The first known push came as early as 1947, when squash proponents lobbied (unsuccessfully) to be added to the 1952 Helsinki Games.

Formal efforts gained momentum after 1986, when the IOC officially recognized squash as a sport, enabling it to bid for a place in the Games. From the 1992 Barcelona Olympics up to Paris 2024, squash failed in nine consecutive Olympic bid cycles. The timeline below summarizes the major attempts and outcomes.

This long campaign was not fought in isolation. Squash steadily integrated into other international multi-sport events as stepping stones toward Olympic recognition. It became a regular medal sport at the Pan American Games (from 1995), and at both the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games (from 1998).

Squash has also featured in every World Games (the championship for non-Olympic sports) since 1997. It was showcased as a demonstration sport at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, an initiative the World Squash Federation hoped would strengthen its bid for Paris 2024. Although that boost was not enough to sway Paris, these appearances helped raise squash's profile and showed it could deliver exciting competition in a multi-sport setting.

Reasons for Squash's Exclusion from the Olympics

Despite squash's merits, several factors repeatedly worked against its Olympic inclusion. Understanding them gives insight into the hurdles the sport had to clear.

• Spectator and broadcast challenges: A commonly cited issue was that squash's fast-moving small ball can be hard to follow, especially on television. Critics argued the sport did not translate well to TV audiences, with the action enclosed in a glass court and the ball moving at high speeds, posing challenges for camera work and viewer clarity. In response, the squash community kept improving court and broadcast technology, from high-definition glass walls to better lighting and ball tracking, to make the sport more TV-friendly over the years.
• Limited global popularity (perceived): While squash is played in more than 150 countries, its popularity was traditionally concentrated in specific regions such as Europe, South Asia, and parts of the Commonwealth. The IOC felt squash's global footprint was not as expansive or mainstream as some competing sports. In earlier decades the sport's governance was also somewhat fragmented, with separate professional tours for men and women and varying rules. This has since improved, with the men's and women's tours merged under the Professional Squash Association and worldwide development aligned by the World Squash Federation, but past bid cycles suffered from a lack of unified presentation.
• Infrastructure and cost concerns: Squash requires specialized court infrastructure, which historically raised questions for organizers, who would need glass court venues built or installed. This became less of an issue over time as portable glass courts proved they could be erected in iconic locations for major tournaments. In fact, the self-contained nature of squash can be a benefit, since courts do not require large stadiums and can be temporarily set up in existing venues. Even so, early bid evaluators may have been wary of the cost and complexity of staging squash compared with simpler additions.
• Stiff competition from other sports: Squash often found itself up against sports that offered the IOC something new or strategically valuable. For the 2016 Games, golf and rugby sevens were chosen over squash. For Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, the IOC prioritized emerging sports with youth or street appeal, such as surfing, skateboarding, sport climbing, and breaking. Squash, by contrast, was seen as an established racket sport akin to tennis or badminton, and thus did not offer the same novelty to attract younger viewers. Financial and political considerations also played a role, notably in 2013 when wrestling's temporary removal created an opening, only for wrestling to be reinstated after lobbying, which edged out squash.

In short, squash's exclusion was not due to a lack of athletic merit. The sport is highly athletic and competitive. It was a combination of media visibility issues, perceptions about its global reach, the strategic priorities of the IOC, and timing.

Each disappointment prompted squash advocates to adapt and strengthen their case by investing in youth programs, improving broadcast production, and emphasizing the sport's inclusivity and low cost. Those lessons eventually paid off in the successful LA 2028 bid.

Key Organizations and Individuals Leading the Campaign

Achieving Olympic inclusion for squash was a global team effort. Over the years, various organizations and influential figures led the campaign. Below are the main drivers and their contributions.

World Squash Federation (WSF)

The World Squash Federation is the international governing body for squash, and it has been at the forefront of the Olympic campaign. The WSF formed an Olympic Games Committee dedicated to lobbying for squash's inclusion as a medal sport. Through every bid cycle, the WSF coordinated the global effort, preparing bid books, engaging with the IOC, and highlighting squash's credentials.

Its leadership played pivotal roles. N. Ramachandran, WSF President in the 2010s, led high-profile presentations for the 2020 bid and launched the "Back The Bid" campaigns, drawing on celebrity endorsements and media outreach. During his tenure, tennis great Roger Federer voiced support for squash's Olympic bid, a sign of the sport's wide respect.

More recently, Zena Wooldridge, who became WSF President in 2020, guided the federation through the successful LA28 campaign, working closely with the Los Angeles organizers and IOC members to secure squash's spot. The WSF also marshaled its many member national federations worldwide, ensuring a broad show of support. This sustained, unified push from the WSF, evolving from modest bids in the early 1990s to sophisticated, professional campaigns in the 2010s, was central to keeping the Olympic effort alive.

Professional Squash Association (PSA) and Players

Complementing the WSF's work, the Professional Squash Association, which runs the elite men's and women's pro tours, has been a crucial force, especially in recent years. The PSA, led by CEO Alex Gough, brought the players' voices and the professional tour's marketing experience into the campaign.

Gough has noted that earlier Olympic bids were somewhat last-minute and lacked coordination, but over time the PSA and WSF developed closer collaboration. By the 2024 and 2028 bid cycles, that partnership was strong, presenting a united front of the sport's administrative and professional sides.

Top athletes became ambassadors for the cause:

• Jahangir Khan, the former world champion from Pakistan who also served as WSF President in the 2000s, lent his stature.
• Nicol David of Malaysia, an eight-time World Open champion, was a prominent advocate, rallying fans on social media and in interviews and saying she was proud to be part of the effort to get squash into the Olympics.
• Nick Matthew, England's former world number one, and French champion Thierry Lincou appeared in promotional videos and events to boost the sport's profile.

Players often used the hashtag #Vote4Squash to show the passion and global diversity of the squash community. "Our leading players on the PSA World Tour are really getting behind this initiative," Ramachandran remarked during the 2020 campaign, emphasizing how athlete engagement was key to convincing the IOC that squash had widespread appeal. This support gave the campaigns a human face, from exhibition matches for IOC delegates to testimonials about what Olympic inclusion would mean to athletes.

National and Regional Federation Initiatives

National squash federations and regional bodies also played a significant part. They worked to expand squash's footprint in their regions, strengthening the Olympic case by demonstrating worldwide growth.

A notable example is the Pan American region, where U.S. squash administrators helped form a Pan American Squash Federation and lobbied successfully for squash's inclusion in the Pan American Games in the 1990s. That gave squash a regular showcase in a major multi-sport event in the Americas, boosting participation and visibility in countries such as the United States, Canada, and across Latin America.

The United States, traditionally not a powerhouse in squash, has seen rapid growth, and the U.S. Olympic Committee's backing was earned in part by demonstrating the sport's increasing grassroots popularity and medal potential in events like the Pan Ams. Similarly, countries in Asia, Europe, and Africa pushed to include squash in their regional games (the Asian Games from 1998, the All-Africa Games, and others), each success adding weight to the argument that squash had a truly global presence.

National federations also mobilized public support and funding. England Squash and Squash Canada ran local publicity campaigns during bid years, and US Squash launched a "Drive to LA28" initiative after squash's 2028 inclusion was confirmed. That campaign is raising funds and awareness to capitalize on the Olympic opportunity, aiming to build more accessible courts, expand junior programs, and support elite training in preparation for Los Angeles 2028.

"The 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles is the most exciting opportunity we've ever had to develop the sport," said Ned Edwards, Executive Director of the U.S. Squash Foundation, reflecting how national bodies view Olympic inclusion as a springboard for the sport's future. Such efforts, combined with the global WSF and PSA campaign, created a broad coalition, from local club players to national Olympic committees, all advocating for squash's place in the Olympics.

Current Status within the Olympic Movement

Squash's persistence has paid off. At the IOC's 141st Session, held in Mumbai in October 2023, squash was officially approved for inclusion in the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The decision came after the LA28 Organizing Committee recommended squash as one of five additional sports, a recommendation endorsed by the IOC.

Alongside cricket, baseball/softball, flag football, and lacrosse, squash will debut on the Olympic stage in 2028 as a new medal sport. For the squash community this was a momentous announcement, ending an absence that lasted through nine previous Olympic cycles.

The inclusion in LA28 is specific to that edition, since these sports were proposed by the host city under current IOC rules, but it confers full Olympic medal status for squash in 2028. In practical terms, squash will be part of the official sports program in Los Angeles, with men's and women's singles events, and athletes from around the world able to compete for Olympic medals in their sport.

The recognition also strengthens squash's standing: the sport had long been IOC-recognized without being on the program, and now it joins the ranks of Olympic sports at least for this edition. The decision was met with elation from players and officials. The Professional Squash Association called squash's inclusion on the LA28 program a historic milestone, reflecting the joy across the community.

LA28's interest in squash was a surprise to some observers, given previous rejections. The Guardian described the choice of squash (and lacrosse) for 2028 as a double surprise. The change in fortunes can be attributed to the sport's steady improvements and a set of favorable factors: the host city's openness to bringing in sports that resonate with local and global communities, and an IOC shift toward a more flexible program.

Squash's global appeal had also grown. By the 2020s, champions were emerging from every continent (Egypt, Malaysia, New Zealand, Colombia, and others), and the sport's youth participation and gender parity had strengthened, aligning well with Olympic values.

Squash is now firmly on the road to Los Angeles, and planning is underway for how the Olympic event will be staged. A state-of-the-art all-glass show court is likely to be installed in a prominent venue in Los Angeles, with the exact location to be finalized by LA28 organizers. The World Squash Federation and PSA are working with the LA28 sports department on operational details, the qualification system, and promotion.

The sport has also gained credibility among National Olympic Committees worldwide, and funding and training support are expected to increase now that athletes in their countries can compete for Olympic medals in squash. The current status is one of vindication for the decades-long campaign and preparation to seize the moment in 2028.

Future Prospects and Strategies for Olympic Inclusion

With the Olympic debut now in sight, the focus has shifted to ensuring a successful 2028 event and securing a long-term Olympic presence. Inclusion in Los Angeles is a breakthrough, but it is not a guarantee for subsequent Games. The sport must prove itself on the Olympic stage to remain part of future editions such as Brisbane 2032. The prospects and strategies below are shaping squash's Olympic future.

Making a strong debut in 2028

The immediate goal is to deliver an Olympic competition in Los Angeles that captivates audiences, media, and the IOC. Advocates often note that you only get one chance to make a first impression. That means strong event presentation, with up-to-date broadcasting techniques such as multiple camera angles, ball-tracking technology, and interactive glass court walls, to retire the old criticism that squash is hard to watch.

Organizers may choose a visually striking location for the glass court, drawing on past showcases in venues such as Grand Central Terminal in New York and in front of the Pyramids of Giza, which produced memorable imagery. A thrilling, well-publicized tournament broadcast globally could establish squash with Olympic fans and decision-makers. Squash will be in front of the largest audience in its history at LA28, so the plan is to make every rally count.

Sustained global development

To bolster its case for staying, squash will continue to drive growth worldwide. IOC officials will be looking at participation numbers, youth engagement, and geographic spread in the years after 2028. The WSF and national federations are already using the Olympic decision as a catalyst to expand programs, including:

• Building more public courts, especially where access was limited.
• Introducing squash in school and university programs.
• Developing talent in countries that have yet to produce top players.

Targeted development in large markets such as China, the Americas, and Africa could turn Olympic inclusion into a broader global boom for the sport. As the squash writer James Zug has observed, by 2028 new nations are likely to join the elite ranks, and historically strong nations whose results waned, such as Australia and Pakistan, might reinvest given the Olympic opportunity. The Olympic platform is expected to bring more funding from governments and sponsors, which squash will channel into such growth.

Youth appeal and innovation

Squash recognizes that to fit the Olympic movement's direction it must keep courting younger audiences. The sport has already modernized its scoring system and event format to be more exciting and quick-paced.

Further strategies include enhancing the fan experience both on-site and digitally, with more use of social media, and possibly virtual reality experiences and other tech-driven approaches to reach the next generation. Many current young stars are active on social media, sharing training insights and life on tour, which makes the sport more relatable. The sport's appearance at the 2018 Youth Olympics could grow into a full medal event at future Youth Games, cultivating Olympic-minded juniors. A fresh image will help keep squash in the conversation when future Olympic lineups are decided.

Political engagement and alliance-building

Having gotten a foot in the door, squash's leadership is conscious of the need to stay in the IOC's good graces by demonstrating that the sport adds value to the program. Alex Gough of the PSA has said the sport is already considering what is needed to stay in the Olympics, noting that staying in should be easier than getting in but that nothing will be taken for granted.

The community understands it must show not only strong TV ratings and ticket sales in 2028 but also cooperation with Olympic ideals such as universality and gender equality; squash already has equal men's and women's events and prize money. There is also a push to ensure the Olympic inclusion benefits all, not just traditional squash nations. The qualification system for 2028 includes continental qualifiers to guarantee broad representation, which gives more National Olympic Committees a stake in squash's Olympic success and a reason to lobby for the sport's retention.

Forging partnerships with influential figures in the Olympic movement, such as former Olympic athletes or IOC members who become squash advocates, could also help, as could aligning squash with Olympic priorities like sustainability, since portable courts can be reused and require relatively little space.

Long-term vision beyond LA28

If Los Angeles is the breakthrough, the aim is to make it a permanent fixture. Brisbane 2032 will have its own sport-selection process in the coming years. Australia has a rich squash heritage, having produced many world champions, so there is optimism that Brisbane may choose to retain squash, especially if the country sees medal chances or if the 2028 event is a success. The World Squash Federation and regional bodies in Australia and Oceania will surely campaign for that.

By proving itself in 2028, squash can counter any remaining doubts. The sport's leaders frame 2028 as a beginning rather than an endpoint, a chance to show what squash would bring to the Games and then build from there. If all goes well, squash could become a regular Olympic sport, ending the pattern of repeated bids.

Everyone involved remains cautiously optimistic, aware of how hard-won this inclusion was and prepared to keep working to solidify the sport's place. As one squash official put it, the sport will approach the opportunity not by fixating on a single costly effort for each Games, but by making sure the sport and the PSA Tour are flourishing so the IOC sees clear value in keeping squash on board.

Conclusion

Squash's Olympic journey is a story of perseverance and adaptation. From its first bid documents in the early 1990s to the announcement of inclusion in LA28, the sport weathered numerous disappointments while continuously strengthening its case. Federation officials and star players united across the globe to keep the effort going.

The reasons squash was kept out for so long also show how the Olympic landscape has evolved, with changing priorities and fierce competition among sports. Now, on the cusp of its Olympic debut, squash is ready to justify the faith invested in it. The 2028 Games will showcase what squash offers: a blend of speed, skill, and strategy played by athletes from all corners of the world.

If squash can win over Olympic audiences and organizers, it may secure a permanent home in the Olympic family. Entering the Olympic Games is not the end of the journey but the start of a new chapter, one where squash can share the stage with the world's biggest sports.