Victor Crouin is trying to ignore speculation about qualification processes for LA 2028 — but is already dreaming about the impact of becoming squash’s first Olympic champion.
Now 26, Crouin will be in the prime of his career when squash makes its debut in the Olympics in three years’ time. He admits the Games are his “main career goal” and is already organising his preparations in order to peak for the qualifying process, then (should he make it) for the first match on 15 July 2028 at Universal Studios Lot.
World no.11 Crouin watched last summer’s spectacular Paris Olympics in awe — and has been fascinated by the positive ripple effect of French medal success.
The memorable bronze medal-winning performance by the captivating brothers Alexis and Félix Lebrun has galvanised table tennis in France, with the federation reporting a significant increase in membership, surging participation, a rise in media attention and sponsorship opportunities.
Similarly, the four gold medals won by Léon Marchand in Paris have inspired a new generation of French swimmers, driving increased interest and participation in clubs, and even encouraging other French swimmers to pursue scholarships at US colleges.
The prospect of having a similar impact on squash in his homeland is an enormous motivation for double European champion Crouin.
“I have to say that’s one of my goals during this Olympic journey, to try and make squash more popular in France through my performances,” he tells Squash Player.
“We’ve seen from Paris 2024 how memberships in sports increased with the successes of some athletes. The Lebrun brothers really captured people; their characters and their competitiveness, and membership in table tennis has increased so much due to their performances.
“I’d like to do something similar to squash to make it become more popular again within the country. It will help the next generation and hopefully it will be a good basis for us to prepare for Brisbane 2032.
“Obviously it’s not just my responsibility. Others would also need to do the work to use my performances as a driver to bring participation up, but I think performances can definitely help to increase the popularity of a sport within the country. There’s something unique about the Olympics and the power it has to do this.”
When we speak, the Harvard alumnus is at the airport ready to embark for Chengdu in the western Chinese province of Sichuan, where he is top seed and defending champion in the 2025 World Games.
The World Games mark a rare opportunity for an athlete from a non-Commonwealth European country to compete in a major multi-sport event.
There may be another opportunity coming up in two years’ time if squash’s application to be included on the programme at the 2027 European Games in Turkiye is accepted. The event is being touted as a possible stage for squash’s European qualification competition for the LA Olympics.
All unconfirmed as yet, it must be stressed.
Crouin commented: “It’s a unique experience to be playing in a multi-sports event for your country, so I would be very excited to be taking part in the European Games, whether it’s for the Olympic qualification or not.
“But I have tried not to speculate too much about Olympic qualification because there’s so much that can go wrong before it’s officially announced. For months, it appeared it would be a 32-player draw, then it was reduced to 16!
“Like everyone else, I don’t know if players will qualify through continental championships or through ranking points. I think it’s better to wait and see and just focus on getting better as a player.
“The Olympics is my main career goal and I’ll try to change the way I train and how I organise my career so I can peak for LA. But I try not to think too much about the qualification process yet. I want to wait for the official announcement, and I’ll make adjustments depending on the criteria.”
Crouin sits at the top of what is a burgeoning talent pool in French squash: Melvil Scianimanico has picked up some promising early results on the PSA Tour since graduating from the junior ranks last year, 23-year-old Toufik Mekhalfi won two PSA titles last season, and two exciting teenagers, Lauren Baltayan and Amir Khaled-Jousselin, led France to the European U19 Mixed Team title in March for the first time in history – ending 12 straight years of England domination.
In October, the French Squash Federation are opening a new national training facility in Paris, complementing the existing national base in Aix-en-Provence.
It all adds to a sense of buoyancy within the sport in the country — one that Crouin feels the team can take to another level through strong performances in Los Angeles.
He says: “At Paris 2024, we heard journalists saying, ‘Every French medal helps to give all the other French athletes belief they can also win.’ It creates a momentum, then medals will keep coming and coming. To imagine squash as part of that process is incredible.
“This is one of the advantages of being in the Olympics, sharing experiences with other athletes from your nation and others around the world. You’re competing not just as a squash player, but for the whole French team composed of athletes from across all sports. I think this is very powerful.”
