Jackson backs squash for the Olympics

British hurdles star Colin Jackson backed squash’s bid for a place in the Olympics after watching world champion Nick Matthew win through to the second round of the Allam British Open.

Jackson, a silver medalist in the 1988 Seoul Games, was a guest of Matthew’s at London’s O2 Arena as the 31-year-old from Sheffield began his bid for a third British title by beating Max Lee of Hong Kong

Jackson said: “I used to play a bit of squash down in Cardiff but it’s amazing to watch the top guys in action.

“As an athlete myself, I have an enormous respect for them and simply can’t understand why squash is not in the Olympics.

“This is a very exciting sport and the glass court here in the O2 looks amazing.

“With Nick as world champion and James Willstrop the current world No.1 it’s such a shame that squash is not in the London Games this year because it would mean at least a couple of extra medals for Team GB.”