IOC decision 'heart-breaking', says WSF chief Ramachandran

Buenos Aires, Sep 8 (IANS) World Squash Federation (WSF) president N. Ramachandran Sunday said he was heartbroken at squash being left out of the 2020 Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) reinstated wrestling in the Olympic programme while squash and baseball/softball lost out in the vote held during the IOC Session here Sunday.

Ramachandran, who led the squash presentation here, said the decision was a big setback to the players.

“Today’s decision is heart-breaking for the millions of squash players around the world, particularly given the 10-year journey we have been on to join the Olympics,” said Ramachandran after the racket sport failed in its Olympic bid for the third time.

However, he was optimistic about the sport’s Olympic future.

“As the only new Olympic sport on today’s shortlist, we believed squash offered something for the future and I still hope that our inclusion may still be possible.

“The feedback we have received from many IOC members for our campaign and our presentation has been very positive and I am encouraged by the vote we received. We have much to offer the Olympic movement and I am hopeful that today is not the end of our Olympic journey,” he added.