(Montreal) The organizing committee of the Los Angeles Olympic Games recently announced the addition of five new disciplines for the big event scheduled for 2028. Squash is part of the lot, to the great joy of David Baillargeon, for whom the process to get there seems to fit perfectly into the schedule.
“Everyone is super happy. There are many athletes on the circuit who change their career plan or who are thinking about extending it. We feel that there is a growing enthusiasm,” mentioned the man who won his first match 3-0 (11-5, 11-6 and 11-4) against the Czech Martin Svec at the Tauranga Open , in New Zealand. He will face second seed Marwan Elshorbagy of Egypt next night.
Squash came very close to being added to the Olympic program for the London, Rio, Tokyo and Paris Games.
The beauty in the story is that the 27-year-old knows he is playing the best squash of his career and is expected to be at his peak at the 2028 Olympics.
“In squash, most of the top male players are between 27 and 33 years old,” revealed Baillargeon, who will be 32 years old in 2028.
His strategy to live the Olympic dream: keep in shape and continue to gain experience. “It’s a sport of tactics and takes wisdom and control in very intense physical efforts. Making good decisions when you are in physical pain can be learned over time. »
For now, the Olympic qualification process remains unknown. On the other hand, in an interview with Sportcom, the Lévisien was not afraid to confide that this qualification will also come with a certain pressure. After all, the expected competition in Los Angeles will be the biggest for any squash player.
“The best player of all time who won the World Championships eight times said she would trade her eight championships for an Olympic medal,” added David Baillargeon, referring to retired Malaysian Nicol David.
“That’s the kind of thing that every squash player would say because, for us, it’s really going to be the pinnacle of our sport, unlike some sports where the Olympics aren’t the biggest event.” he quickly added.
During the last two seasons, Baillargeon’s goal was to reach the top 48 in the world. This ranking would then allow him to regularly participate in the biggest tournaments. His efforts will have paid off and he can now say mission accomplished. He is currently ranked 40th in the world.
However, not yet one of the favorites, the Quebec athlete continues his development by regularly facing more experienced opponents. He also found himself facing the world number one, the Egyptian Ali Frag, against whom he lost in three sets (11-9, 11-5, 11-4) in Singapore, in mid-November.
“It’s hard and if you want to win, yes, you have to learn quickly because otherwise it’s one match and you go home. There are tournaments that are far away like here in Hong Kong. It’s not nearby. […] When you come back and it’s a 15-hour flight, you think twice. It makes you not want to lose in the first round. »
For David Baillargeon, who lost 3-1 to Egyptian Omar Mosaad at the Hong Kong Open last week, the key is not to put too much pressure on yourself, while remaining motivated.
“I think in four or five appearances (since he was in the top-48), I have always lost in the first round. It was one thing to be able to enter (in the main draw) […] There, it’s really about lining up the victories,” said Baillargeon.
He will conclude his season with two tournaments in New Zealand, including the World Team Championship taking place December 11-17.
