Canadian squash players thrilled that sport set to be added to 2028 Olympic program

Canadian squash player Spring Ma couldn't contain her excitement after opening a recent email from the Professional Squash Association with a "Breaking News" subject line.

The message said squash was tabbed to finally become an Olympic sport in 2028 at the Los Angeles Games.

"The morning that I saw it, I screamed," Ma said.

Formal International Olympic Committee approval is expected Monday.

Ma, the Canadian under-17 champion, recalled racing into her twin sister Ocean's room to wake her up with the exciting news.

"At first, I couldn't believe my ears," said Ocean, the reigning U19 national champion.

The 16-year-old sisters, who live in Richmond, B.C., plan to play at the U.S. collegiate level once they graduate from high school.

"It's strong motivation to just work hard and maybe get close to being an Olympian," Ocean said.

The Commonwealth Games, Pan Am Games and world championships have long been top events on the sport's calendar. Now squash — long knocking on the door to be included at the Games — appears set for its Olympic moment.

"It's so incredibly exciting for the sport," said former national team member Stephanie Edmison, who won Pan Am gold in 2011. "I remember just back in my own junior days when squash was trying to get into the Olympics.

"It was the event on every squash player's radar. Like if squash gets into the Olympics, how incredible that would be for their careers and for their own personal goals."

In addition to squash, Los Angeles organizers also proposed lacrosse, cricket, baseball/softball and flag football be added to the 2028 program.

The IOC's executive board is expected to ratify the proposal at its session in Mumbai.

Top-flight squash is regularly played around the world on all-glass