HAVE YOUR SAY: Squash prepares to overcome one final hurdle

As expected, squash was one of three sports which made it on to shortlist for inclusion in seven years’ time following a meeting of the International Olympic Committee’s executive board in St Petersburg, Russia, yesterday.

As well as squash, wrestling – controversially ejected last year – and baseball/softball also made it on to the shortlist after presentations were made by eight sports.

Somewhat surprisingly karate missed out, with roller sports, climbing, wakeboarding and wushu also failing to progress any further. Three sports will become one when the Executive Board meets again in September in Buenos Aires.

Squash was always expected to make the shortlist, not only because of an impressive presentation boosted by the presence of world No 1s Ramy Ashour and Nicol David, but also because of its seemingly relentless determination to be accepted into the Games having missed out for London 2012 and the 2016 Games in Rio – which, somewhat surprsingly, saw golf and rugby sevens chosen instead.

The next four months are sure to see intense lobbying carried out by all three short-listed sports, with Sheffield-born world No 2 Matthew quietly confident his beloved sport can finally take up what many people consider its rightful place at the self-styled “greatest show on earth.”

“It’s obviously better being one of three than one of eight,” said Matthew last night.

“But it still doesn’t really mean anything and it won’t do until September when the final decision is made.

“I think as a sport we strongly believe we should be in the Olympics, but we’re not shouting about anything too loudly just yet.

“We’re confident in our sport and the improvements that we have made. But there is still a lot of work to be done between now and September to get us over that final hurdle.”

In an effort to ensure the Olympic Games remain relevant to sports fans of all generations, the Olympic Programme Commission systematically reviews every sport following each edition of the Games.

The Commission uses 39 criteria in determining a sport’s suitability for the Olympic Games, including youth appeal, universality, popularity, good governance, respect for athletes and respect for the Olympic values.

“The Executive Board received excellent presentations today from eight International Federations,” said IOC President Jacques Rogge on Wednesday evening.

“It was never going to be an easy decision but I feel my colleagues on the Board made a good decision in selecting baseball/softball, squash and wrestling to be put forward in Buenos Aires.

“I wish the three shortlisted sports the best of luck in the run-up to the vote in September and would like to thank the other sports for their hard work and dedication.”

World No 2 Laura Massaro, who last week in Hull was crowned the first homegrown winner of the British Open for more than 20 years, admitted it was sometimes difficult watching the London Games while holding the deeply-held belief that her sport should also have been there.

“I watched quite a lot of it,” said 29-year-old Massaro, from Cheshire. “ As a sports lover it was absolutely amazing. What everyone achieved was brilliant.

“But a part of me was quite upset that squash hadn’t been included in it, and we hadn’t been given the chance to compete.”