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10/08/2005
WSF NEWS - Update Issue 13 2005
The Olympic build-up, Singapore, what squash achieved, the future, World Games 2005, World Masters Games 2005, WSF AGM.
OLYMPICS
The Build-Up
The race for 2012 was always going to be a difficult one. Not merely due to the competition but also because of the race rules. Most notably, the Olympic Charter states that in order to include a new sport (s) to the programme, an existing one (s) must be dropped. While controversial, this rule could not be changed ahead of or in Singapore. And knowing that we could not influence the decision on existing sports, we focused on what we could impact: being # 1 in the hearts and minds of as many IOC Members as possible, in case the opportunity came up.
So WSF and our Member National Federations embarked on a mission to familiarise as many IOC Members as possible with our sport and our proposal for 2012. Looking back, we all did a good job of defining our messages and how to deliver them. And we all pulled together as one united team magnificently.
We chose to win the hearts and minds of the IOC Members by using a soft, 1-to-1 approach that has been complimented extensively. And we also received acknowledgement for the campaign materials - the Olympics presentation and DVD. But the most important reason why our build-up campaign was successful is because we have a wonderful sport that is practiced and run by a great, united family.
It is because Squash delivers the goods: an intensely athletic and clean sport, role-model athletes, popularity in all continents, ever expanding professional tours, increasing levels of TV coverage and a zest for technology and innovation. It was very satisfying to confirm that Squash is widely recognized as one of the first sports to embrace the Internet. We need to remain on the forefront.
Singapore
The hype in Singapore was extraordinary. Jahangir Khan, Susie Simcock, Nicol David, Charles Ng and Sukumaran Nair of Singapore Squash and myself were there throughout the whole 117th IOC Session.
Singapore Squash capitalised on the opportunity and arranged a never-ending series of interviews to further expose our case. Jahangir Khan and Nicol David did at least two interviews per day from July 5th to July 8th with wide coverage on the main newspapers including the Straits Times - delivered to the door of every IOC Member!
Undoubtedly the highlight of our campaign in Singapore was on July 6th. The official Opening Ceremony of the 117th IOC Session started at 7:30PM. After the initial speeches by Mr. Rogge and the Organising Committee, Channel News Asia, which was transmitting live to over 20 countries, switched to a live interview in which Jahangir Khan discussed our case. We had the very best prime time and to add the icing on the cake, a public survey on which sport (of the five) should be included in the 2012 Olympic Games showed Squash on top with 47% of the votes!
With London having won the race for Host City and supporting Squash“s inclusion full on our chances looked good. To then see not one but two openings become available surely meant that changes to the programme were inevitable. And when the race was on for those two spots (and all of Squash“s hard work over the past few years was put to the test), Squash came out on top!
Squash was effectively voted into the London 2012 Olympic Games ahead of Karate while Rugby 7s, Roller Sports and Golf were eliminated in earlier rounds of the voting.
With Mr. Rogge pushing for new sports to replace the ones that had been excluded our chances now looked extremely good. Mr. Rogge requested a show of hands to quickly confirm Squash and Karate as Olympic sports and thus thrust us into the programme but the overwhelming negative from the floor indicated that something was not quite right.
The last hurdle proved to be insurmountable. According to the Olympic Charter, a new candidate sport must obtain 2/3 of the vote to be recognised as an Olympic sport. And this we failed to achieve by a significant margin. We needed 70 of the 105 total possible votes with abstentions and invalid ballots counting as ”no-. Squash obtained 39 votes in favour with 63 against and 3 abstentions while Karate had 38 in favour, 63 against, 3 abstentions and 1 invalid ballot.
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So why did we fail to get even close? On the one hand, the target is unrealistic and the IOC recognises this problem. No sooner the results were in and President Rogge was already talking about lowering the benchmark to simple majority _ as is required of Olympic sports. We will of course push for this change in the Charter so that the playing field is level next time around.
On the other hand, the atmosphere in Singapore was not conducive to change. While most IOC Members will say that change is good, 2012 was judged as too early for changes to the sports programme. ”You don“t change a winning team- was a recurring theme in the back corridors. Also, as soon as Baseball and Softball were excluded, we had to contend with two unofficial participants in the race. And this we never planned for. To put it bluntly, many IOC Members decided that no sports should have been dropped and that therefore the vacant spots should remain as such.
Lets also face the fact that despite our efforts, most IOC Members know Olympic sports far better than they do any non-Olympic sport. It is only logical after attending so many Olympic Games and working with the Olympic International Federations for such a long time.
So we should all be disappointed and not to try again, right? Wrong!
There are many positives coming out of this bid cycle. And I would like to highlight the main ones:
· Squash has won the race for inclusion in the Olympic Games 2012. This is a major
marketing tool because it underscores our perceived value among key sport leaders
· Squash“s report from the Olympic Programme Commission provides an objective
assessment of our strengths (yet another marketing tool) and opportunities (more on this
later)
· Squash“s profile has been elevated in the IOC and we now enjoy more and stronger links with key IOC Members and IOC staff
· Squash“s profile has been elevated in the media
· Squash is now seen as a very serious contender for 2016
· Squash has a better understanding of what it will take to get into the Olympic Games and is equipped with unprecedented levels of reputation and clear next steps
As you all know, WSF focused almost exclusively on this project in the past 6 months. We did it for a very good reason that is as valid today as it ever was: everything we did for the Olympics race would benefit our sport. We would learn how the world views us and we would elevate the profile of our sport at the same time. As surfers would say, we had a unique opportunity to catch a large wave and we made the most of it!
What now?
The objective of gaining Olympic status remains intact. Squash belongs in the Olympic Games because our inclusion represents a win-win that is rooted in shared values and ideals.
The next opportunity is at the IOC Session of 2009. At this meeting, a similar review of the sports programme will take place with the aim to define the sports for 2016. With two vacancies already available, Squash finishing in top place in 2005 and our superior network with the IOC, the chance in 2009 is now so much better.
We do need however to integrate our Olympics project into our strategic planning, at all levels and in all organisations if we are to be successful.
But what has happened since Singapore?
WSF has already had informal feedback from the IOC in terms of how we can take Squash to the next level and thus have a solid case for inclusion in 2009. We have also obtained rich feedback from IOC Members in Singapore, Duisburg (World Games) and Edmonton (World Masters). And we will be meeting with Mr. Rogge to express our points of view on this cycle and review the IOC“s recommendations looking ahead.
But the benefits do not stop at a heightened chance of inclusion, as if this were a small prize. The beauty of having gone through this cycle is that we now have a clear picture of what our image is among key sport leaders and very specific recommendations on how to take the sport forward.
You will not be surprised to learn that ”reaching new audiences- is the key theme and that TV is viewed as a key tool. WSF is currently integrating all the learning and will be asking for your points of view to define our vision and strategies. We will have a chance to discuss this further at the AGM.
I will leave you with a thought from the great Jacques Cousteau when discussing the role of his films in gaining new adepts to the conservation cause (I apologise that this is not verbatim): ”in order to preserve the oceans and its creatures one must first care about them and you do not care about what you don t know-.
Recognitions
Everyone involved in Squash deserves a share of recognition in this campaign: Players, Coaches, Promoters, Member National Federations, Regional Federations, Media, Sponsors, Club Owners and Investors, Referees, Player Associations and Manufacturing Companies. You have all taken Squash to where it is today: at the very doors of the Olympic Games! Well done.
Thank you to all.
WORLD GAMES 2005
The World Games is a multi-sport event for non-Olympic sports conducted under the patronage of the IOC. Ever since its inception in 1981, The World Games have enjoyed exceptional development with growing number of sports, athletes, media interest and support from National Olympic Committees.
The WSF supports The World Games on an ongoing basis for various reasons:
· They provide our athletes an opportunity to compete in their own elite multi-sport event and represent their countries as members of a delegation
· They provide an excellent platform to showcase our sport to the world
· They have been a stepping-stone for several sports to the Olympic Games programme
· They represent and promote the ideals of sport and the Olympic Movement
The 7th World Games 2005 Duisburg was a huge success. With over 3,500 athletes from 40 sports and 100 countries, the table was set for a global feast of sport competition and fraternity.
It all started with a highly colourful and entertaining Opening Ceremony on July 14th at the MSV Arena in Duisburg. IOC President Jacques Rogge and International World Games Association President Ron Froehlich led the official proceedings that were sandwiched between a show of lights, colour, music, athletes, dancing and art. Jahangir Khan, Howard Harding and myself attended the VIP Reception and Opening Ceremony and shared fruitful discussions with various members of the sports world.
The Squash competition was held in Mullheim an der Ruhr from July 16-19. The level of Squash was breathtaking and the crowds were numerous and extremely cheerful from Day 1.
Amongst the distinguished guests were:
1) Kelly Fairweather, Sports Director of the IOC, an ex-player himself, enjoyed the Finals
alongside Jahangir Khan and myself
2) Ron Froehlich, President of the International World Games Association (IWGA) and
President Emeritus of the Association of Recognised International Sports Federations
(ARISF - of which Squash is a member). Ron was impressed by the crowds and has always supported widespread coverage of Squash within the Games“ promotional and media outlets
3) Bob de Die, Senior Vice-President of the IWGA, thoroughly enjoyed the thrilling Quarter- Final between Peter Nicol and Karim Darwish and commented: “this is why Squash should be in the Olympic Games.”
Squash achieved all its objectives at The World Games 2005 Duisburg. We had a fantastic event that received plenty of media attention and coverage, the players had a good time playing and at official athletes party after the Finals and Jahangir Khan and myself had very productive meetings in relation to our Olympic ambitions.
Squash has made a powerful impact on the 7th World Games 2005 Duisburg and we look forward to the 8th edition in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei, from July 16-26 2009.
I would like to thank Jahangir Khan for enduring a gruelling month of July in which his WSF duties took him from Pakistan to Singapore to Duisburg to Kuala Lumpur, all in the space of 25 days!
I would also like to thank Howard Harding and Fritz Borchert who single-handedly took on the challenge of covering the Squash event at The World Games 2005 Duisburg. They did an excellent job!
WORLD MASTERS GAMES 2005
The 2005 World Masters Games was a huge success. Kai Holm, IOC Member and President of the IMGA (International Masters Games Association) described the event at the Closing Ceremony as “perfect”.
This edition was held in Edmonton, Canada, from July 22-31, 2005. In total, over 22,000
competitors from 84 countries participated in 27 sports, including Squash.
Susie Simcock, who is a Board Member of the IMGA, attended the World Masters Games and was delighted to report on a well-organised and well-supported Squash event with over 380 entries.
Among the many winners in the multiple age categories was Sarah FitzGerald with a gold medal in the +35 competition. Susie was impressed by how Edmonton put into practice the Games' slogan “Passion Qualifies You”. No better testament to this than the inspirational performances of a 96 year old in the swimming event, a 80+ year old in the half marathon and a 77 year old in the triathlon! Edmonton embraced everyone in style with the end prize being an ultimate celebration of sportsmanship and camaraderie.
The World Masters Games help to promote the sport of Squash. We look forward to the next edition in Sydney in 2009. Finally, Susie will kill me but she deserves a special mention after grabbing two silver medals in the Golf competition, which had 1,800 entries. Congratulations Susie!
2005 AGM & CONFERENCE, BRAZIL
This year“s AGM will be in Costa do Sauipe, Bahia, Brazil. The dates are Nov 16-19, 2005. Strategically, we have chosen Brazil to get Latin America more involved in World Squash. Our mission as a world body is to promote Squash in all regions and in as many countries as possible.
Having the 2005 AGM in Brazil represents a valuable tool to kick-start growth in the region and gives a boost to our efforts of keeping Squash in the programme of the Panamerican Games Rio 2007.
Costa do Sauipe is a superb beach resort complex in the north east of Brazil. Our hotel will be the 5-star Sofitel Costa do Sauipe that provides for all our meeting needs as well spectacular options for leisure including squash courts, tennis courts and a championship golf course.
The theme of this year“s Conference is ”Taking Squash to the Next Level-. The Olympic bid cycle has provided rich data and analyses that point to where we should be headed as a sport. Thus, the time is perfect for World Squash to take a good look at ourselves and define our Vision for the future.
The Conference programme is taking shape but you should come prepared to brainstorm, share your great ideas and experiences and challenge how we run Squash today.
Please book your AGM & Conference package by Sept 30th to secure your accommodation. The payment details and logistics are included in the notice that will be with you this week via email and shortly thereafter by post.
Thank you for your attention.
Christian Leighton
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