Hong Kong pair hail ‘unreal’ decision to include squash in 2028 LA Olympics

Hong Kong’s top squash players said they were still processing the sport’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympics, after decades of seeing it overlooked.

Tong Tsz-wing, the city’s second ranked women’s player, called the feeling “unreal” and said it “meant the world”.

“We have been trying so hard to be included in the Olympics and show people why we deserve to be in it,” said Tong, who won silver with the women’s team at this month’s Asian Games.

“It means a lot to the whole squash community, not only for those who are playing professionally currently but to all the great champions in the past and every squash lover.”

Squash came close to being an Olympic sport almost 20 years ago when the IOC voted to drop baseball/softball for the 2012 Games before considering replacing the two sports in London.

Five sports, including golf, roller sports and rugby sevens, were considered with karate and squash named the two final nominees, but neither received the required two-thirds majority votes in 2005.

Subsequent disappointment for squash lovers was to follow in the recent Tokyo Games and the Paris Games next summer, but it has now finally made the list.

“Having endured back-to-back disappointments recently, we were not as hopeful as we were, to be honest,” Tomato Ho Tsz-lok, the city’s top women’s player, said. “We were like giving up our hope already.

“But just when we did not have too much faith, we made it to the Olympics so it’s unbelievable.”

Ho, who is No 28 in the world, said she thought the chance for squash to become an Olympic sport would only come if Egypt hosted a Games.

“Egypt is such a strong nation in squash, they have nine players in the top 20 right now, and I was thinking they would be our only hope so I am really happy,” she said.

With the Los Angeles Games more than four years away, Ho and Tong will be closer to the end of their careers than the beginning, but both said just the chance to be an Olympian would drive them on.

Ho, who turns 29 next Thursday, said the “historic moments” in Los Angeles gave her motivation to keep playing on for an extra few years.

“A lot of top players are well into their 30s, so I hope I can do that,” said Ho, who will turn 29 next week. “But first thing first, I need to take care of my body.”

At 31 years old, Tong said she would fight to stay in shape and at the top of her game because, “who doesn’t want to be an Olympian”.