Rotorua's Amanda Landers-Murphy disappointed as squash misses out on Olympics again

Commonwealth Games gold medallist Amanda Landers-Murphy has expressed her disappointment at squash being snubbed for inclusion in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Photo / File

Those hit hardest by squash being snubbed for inclusion in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are the athletes who dreamed of competing there or even winning a medal.

Squash players and associations have lobbied for years for its inclusion and Rotorua's own squash star, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Amanda Landers-Murphy, could not believe it had missed out again.

"Obviously it is very, very disappointing for the sport and the athletes. Everyone works extremely hard in squash and I think it's a sport that deserves to be in the Olympics. It is frustrating.

"It always seems to look good [for inclusion] all the way to the end and then it just doesn't seem to get over the line, which is upsetting."

At 27 years old, the timing of the Paris Olympics would have been perfect for Landers-Murphy to target and she said there were many people involved in the sport who had worked hard to improve its chances of being selected.

"Had it made it in it would've been one I could've been there for. I think squash is such a tough sport, mentally and physically, and it has everything required as part of what the IOC (International Olympic Committee) wants a sport to have to be included.

"The thing with squash is, it's played worldwide and has been voted the world's hardest sport. To not be included in a world-stage event like the Olympics - it feels pretty unfair I guess."

Some critics have suggested squash is less appealing to the spectator than other sports, but Landers-Murphy did not agree. She experienced first-hand the energy and atmosphere at the Commonwealth Games last year and said there was nothing like it.

With glass walled courts and an abundance of camera angles, there was little to stop the crowd enjoying the action at the venue or at home.

"That's one of the areas squash has worked really hard on to improve. To me, when you watch squash now, it is so different to what it was years ago. I think a lot of people are remembering what it used to be, not what it is now."