London, Sep 3 (IANS): Record seven-time women's world squash champion Nicol David has campaigned tirelessly for years to get her sport into the Olympic Games programme.
In the final countdown to this weekend's International Olympic Committee (IOC) session in Buenos Aires - where the IOC will decide if Squash is to be the new sport to join the 2020 Games - the 30-year-old Malaysian celebrates the longest ever unbroken reign at the top of the world rankings.
With accolades peppered with words like "wonderful ambassador", "living legend" and "role model", David first came to international prominence in 2001 when, aged just 17, she became the first player ever to win the biennial World Junior (U19) Championship title for a second time.
She went on to become the first Asian to top the women's world rankings for three months from January 2006, but then reclaimed the position in August that year and has remained there, unopposed, ever since - her 86-month reign this month being the longest continuous run ever.
David has reached 85 Women's Squash Association (WSA) World Tour finals and has won 66 titles, including a record seven world championship titles.
Off the court, David has spared no effort to promote the sport's 2020 campaign, including organising Flashmobs in Kuala Lumpur and New York; issuing weekly #SquashAroundTheWorld pictures on Twitter and Facebook highlighting her involvement in the sport; posing with a 'Back the Bid 2020' banner all over Amsterdam on World Squash Day; and meeting up with campaign supporters like tennis great Roger Federer.
David played a major role in the World Squash Federation presentation to the IOC Executive Board in St Petersburg in May - when Squash was shortlisted alongside wrestling and baseball/softball.
"I am very passionate about the chance for squash to take part in the Olympics," said David Tuesday.
"I know from other multi-sport games I do participate in how their four-year cycle is such an important target to train for and peak at. As for the Olympics, this is the moment every athlete is waiting to be part of and it's at a completely different level altogether! Every one of us players would do everything we possibly can to participate at the Olympic Games and to live the dream of becoming an Olympian," she said.
"For me, the opportunity to be part of the squash presentation team in St Petersburg and have the honour of being able to meet the IOC Executive Board and explain to them what participation in the Olympics would mean to squash players was memorable."