New British Champion Applauds IOC Shortlist Decision
New British Champion
Applauds IOC Shortlist Decision
LAURA MASSARO, the newly crowned BRITISH OPEN
CHAMPION, has applauded the news that squash retains a live chance
of becoming a medal sport in the 2020 Olympics, after the IOC confirmed
that squash has been shortlisted for consideration along with wrestling
and baseball or softball.
29 year-old Massaro wrote her name in to the history books on Sunday
evening when she became the first British woman in 22 years to lift the
coveted British Open Trophy after beating world number one Nicol David
in a tense match at the KC Stadium, Hull.
Upon hearing today’s news Massaro said: "That is a great boost for
everyone involved with squash. We deserve to be included and it was
almost painful to watch London 2012 with no opportunity to be part of
the nation’s success.”
“All off the other notable racket sports are in the games already. Tennis,
badminton and table tennis, but squash has been overlooked in the past
and it has been tough to take when you compete at the highest level on
the world stage."
“I would relish the opportunity to play in the Olympics, but, it might
be a big ask for me to still be playing to the standard required by 2020
– I’ll be qualified for the Masters tour by then,” she added.
Massaro became only the second British winner in over 50 years to land
the British Open, arguably squash’s equivalent to the LTA’s Wimbledon
Championship, along with Lisa Opie who was a spectator in Hull at the
weekend.“All
of the other notable racket sports are in the games already. Tennis,
badminton and table tennis, but squash has been overlooked in the past
and it has been tough to take when you compete at the highest level on
the world stage."
“I would relish the opportunity to play in the Olympics, but, it might
be a big ask for me to still be playing to the standard required by 2020
– I’ll be qualified for the Masters tour by then,” she added.
Massaro became only the second British winner in over 50 years to land
the British Open, arguably squash’s equivalent to the LTA’s Wimbledon
Championship, along with Lisa Opie who was a spectator in Hull at the
weekend.
