Olympics Committee Hears Plea
from Preuss School Student to Include Squash in 2016 Olympic Games
June 24, 2009
By Pat JaCoby
Hanna Fekede Balcha
There she stood, a tiny 13-year-old facing 15 distinguished members of the International Olympics Committee —a prince, ambassadors, CEO’s of international firms, gold medalists—seated around a conference table in Lausanne, Switzerland.
In steady tones, Hanna Fekede Balcha, representing Surf City Squash of San Diego, the Preuss School at UC San Diego and the world youth squash community, presented her case for including squash in the 2016 Olympic Games.
Hanna and five adult squash representatives were in Lausanne to urge the sports’ selection as one of two new sports for the 2016 Games. Also competing for a coveted spot are rugby, karate, roller sports, golf, baseball and softball.
Hanna immigrated with her parents to the United States from Ethiopia four years ago, and this week completed the eighth grade at the Preuss School with a 4.0 GPA. She became involved in the sport of squash two years ago through Surf City Squash, an urban youth enrichment program that combines academic support, community service, and the sport of squash. She is one of six Preuss School students from Surf City that recently won the Urban National Under-15 National Championship Team Championship.
Hanna Fekede Balcha
In her talk to the committee, Hanna described “moving to a new country when we didn’t have much money. We still don’t,” she added. “My sisters and I found it very strange, suddenly going to school in San Diego with lots of American kids who know each other. We felt out of place, even though people were mostly kind to us. Then I heard about the Surf City squash program, which is set up to help kids like me.
“I will be 20 years old in 2016 and I know that if I work hard, train hard and eat right, if I’m determined and a little bit lucky, maybe I can represent Ethiopia in the Olympic Games and encourage other people like me,” Hanna said.
“She brought tears to the eyes of the IOC members and received the loudest ovation of the presenters,” said Renato Paiva, Surf City Squash executive director. “Hanna is a true sport,” he said. She went through long and endless hours of rehearsal, she was around people who are a bit intimidating---the Prince of Malasia, the president of the World Squash Federation, best players in the world, to mention a few. Sometimes I thought it was unfair to bring a 13-year-old into this atmosphere, but then I would see our Hanna smiling and doing such a great job.”
Hanna and the other presenters will learn the IOC’s decision about the two selected sports on Aug. 13, 2009, when a site for the 2016 Games will also be announced.
Media Contact: Pat JaCoby, 858-534-7404 or pjacoby@ucsd.edu
