Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Squash: The Olympics — [Esther McVey in the Chair.]

12 January 2021 · 0 other contributors · 3,919 words

Opened by Christina Rees Lab Neath

Responding minister: Nigel Huddleston

Culture, Media & Sport

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Christina Rees raised concerns about squash: the olympics — [esther mcvey in the chair.] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Ms Rees expressed disappointment that squash has not been included in the Olympic Games despite multiple bids.
  • Ms Rees highlighted squash's global reach, noting over 50,000 courts and players from 69 countries.
  • Ms Rees asked the Minister to write a letter of support to the International Olympic Committee for squash's inclusion.

Key requests to Government

Ms Rees asked the Minister to write a letter of support to the International Olympic Committee in favour of squash's inclusion in future Olympics. She also offered to be the Minister's coach if he wishes to take up the sport.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Christina Rees Lab Neath

Ms Rees expressed her disappointment that squash has not been included in the Olympic Games despite multiple bids. She highlighted the sport's global reach, with over 50,000 courts and players from 69 countries competing on professional tours. Squash is noted for its strategic and physical challenges, as well as full gender parity and WADA compliance.

Government Response

Nigel Huddleston

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms McVey. I must first congratulate the hon. Member for Neath on having secured this debate and making the case for including squash as a future Olympic sport with great passion and conviction. Squash is an exciting and dynamic sport that has a long and proud heritage in this country, with British women leading the way in world rankings. However, the decision to add any new sport to the Olympic programme is a matter for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to consider, and national Governments cannot lobby for particular sports due to the IOC's charter. The relevant national governing body of a sport can make its case, as squash has been doing through discussions with the British Olympic Association or the World Squash Federation. Although UK Sport does not currently fund squash directly, substantial investments from home nations' governing bodies and £8 million from Sport England have contributed to a wider financial package totalling about £49 million for squash-related activities. The pandemic presents challenges but vaccination efforts mean sport can return soon, presenting a strong case for innovative sports like squash to grace global stages. I encourage continued lobbying of the IOC and assure that squash remains healthy in this country with room for growth.

▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy