Women's Squash Association (WSA) players and administrators believe that the sport will build on the Olympic bid process and continue to grow in strength and depth after narrowly missing out on a chance to be part of the 2020 Olympic Games.
Squash was voted onto the International Olympic Committee's shortlist in May, alongside Softball/Baseball and the successful bid by Wrestling. It was the only sport of the three which had never previously featured at the Olympic Games.
Please find below quotes from WSA Chairman Ingrid Lofdahl-Bentzer and some of the world's top women's squash players in reaction to today's decision:
Ingrid Lofdahl-Bentzer, Chairman of the WSA:
"We would like to congratulate wrestling on its successful bid to be in the 2020 Olympic Games. I am personally very proud over the effort from squash and in particular from our players. We are all desperately disappointed but very optimistic about the growth of our sport and the future of squash. Women's squash will continue to develop."
Nicol David, Malaysian and World No.1:
"It is disappointing but what we've done over the last few years, with the campaign, has really made women's squash stronger and it's brought the whole squash community together in a huge way. We've proven that we can be up there as an Olympic sport and the fact that we were shortlisted shows what a great sport we are. We need to use that and move forward."
Laura Massaro, World No.2 and England No.1:
"It is really disappointing news to hear that squash has missed out on being part of the 2020 Olympic Games. Everyone involved in the sport is extremely upset that we won't be part of the games in 2020. We will carry on learning from the bid process in the hope we can make Olympic status one day in the future."
Samantha Cornett, World No.31 and Canada No.1:
"Every player around the world gave everything we have to show how our sport can be an asset to the Olympic programme and how much the Olympics means to us. However, we can take away positives from this situation. I know that everyone involved in the bid is incredibly passionate about our sport, whether we are in the Olympics or not. And the marketing and promotion of our sport has taken a huge leap forward. Throughout this campaign we have touched people who haven't heard of the sport, and encouraged people on its doorstep. And we've got every squash fanatic like me even more involved! Squash is growing, and it won't stop."
