Olympic NEWS

19/05/2005
Jahangir Looks Forward To Proudest Achievement In Squash
Squash legend Jahangir Khan is confident that the sport has the credentials to be selected to join the programme for the 2012 Olympic Games this summer ...

Jahangir Looks Forward To Proudest Achievement In Squash

Squash legend Jahangir Khan is confident that the sport has the credentials to be selected to join the programme for the 2012 Olympic Games this summer ...

Despite his unparalleled success in squash as a player, the long-awaited Olympic breakthrough would mark Khan's proudest achievement in the sport.

The six-times World Open champion and record ten-times British Open champion has been visiting London where he was honoured with a 'Lifetime Achievement Award' at the World Squash Awards. The 41-year-old from Pakistan - who boasts an unmatched five-and-a-half-year unbeaten run which included more than 700 winning matches - was given a standing ovation at a special gala dinner at the RAC Club in Pall Mall when he collected his award from England's world number one Peter Nicol

Squash has been short-listed by the IOC for possible inclusion on the 2012 sports programme.

"We have received very encouraging responses from IOC members around the world whom we have met over the past few months," said Khan, who as President of the World Squash Federation is leading the sport's campaign to join the other racquet sports on the Games programme.

"Most people seem surprised that squash isn't already part of the Olympic Games movement, particularly as we fulfil all the criteria, with the sport played in over 150 countries, spread over Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania.

"And our sport is growing: The number of national federations affiliated to the WSF has doubled in the past 15 years to 125 - and new applications continue to arrive. The professional tours are growing in events and prize money. And the number of worldwide players now exceeds 15 million," Khan added.

"But perhaps the most compelling reason to welcome us into the Games community is that squash is all about sheer athleticism. At the top level, squash requires a remarkable combination of power, speed, flexibility, agility and instant reflexes.

"And let's not forget squash's trademark - outstanding endurance, both muscular and cardiovascular. Surely the Olympic Games are principally all about superior athletic performance?" posed Khan.

For squash's top performers, the Olympic Games would constitute the pinnacle event in their career.

"Competing in the Games would be the highest honour and the top priority," said Jahangir. "Indeed, the WSF has provided a top athlete guarantee to the IOC as a key element within its bid for 2012.

"I have enjoyed a magnificent career in squash - but I admit that my biggest disappointment is not having been able to compete for an Olympic gold medal. If I could help achieve this for the next generation of players, it would be my proudest moment," concluded Khan.

The decision regarding the sports which will be featured in the 2012 Games will be made at the 117th IOC Assembly in Singapore on 8 July 2005.

Additional background information on Squash:
 

• Squash is played in all the major regional games, including the World Games, All-Africa Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Pan American Games - and a whole range of sub-regional games, the latest of which is the Women's Islamic Games!
• Emerging Squash nations now include Colombia, Mexico and the USA in the Americas; Kenya and Nigeria in Africa; China and India in Asia; Italy and Russia in Europe; and the smaller islands in Oceania, which continue to receive coaching and mentoring from Australia and New Zealand.
• With a proposed programme of 64 athletes (0.6% of the IOC cap of 10,500 athletes), plus cost-effective venue options (shared indoor/outdoor that only require two all-glass courts) and low TV production costs, the squash proposal represents excellent value for money.

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