Los Angeles : In a groundbreaking decision, cricket is set to make its long-awaited debut in the 2028 Olympic Games, as approved by the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Executive Board. The proposal to include cricket in the Olympic program was put forth by the organizers of the Los Angeles Games.
Alongside cricket, four other sports – baseball-softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash – have also received the green light from the IOC Executive Board. The announcement was made following a meeting chaired by IOC President Thomas Bach.
The proposal is now slated to be subjected to a vote during the IOC session commencing this Sunday.
IOC President Thomas Bach explained that the inclusion of these five sports for the 2028 Los Angeles Games aligns with the cultural and sporting traditions of the United States. This move not only enriches the Olympic movement but also facilitates engagement with new athletes and fan communities in the United States and around the world.
Bach stated, “The IOC had to take three different decisions. The first was about the proposal of the Los Angeles organizing committee to introduce five new sports. These five sports are baseball-softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), squash, and cricket.”
He continued, “We see growing popularity of cricket, particularly the T20 format. The World Cup (50 overs) is a huge success already.”
The inclusion of cricket, particularly in its shortest and most thrilling format, T20, is a significant development. If approved, this will mark cricket’s return to the Olympics for the first time since the year 1900.
The IOC released a statement affirming the inclusion of these five sports in the Olympic program for Los Angeles 2028. It clarified that the proposal originated from the LA28 Organizing Committee for their edition of the Games and had been thoroughly reviewed by the Olympic Programme Commission (OPC) before being presented to the Executive Board.
This historic decision promises to bring new excitement to the world of sports, as cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the sport’s debut on the Olympic stage.
