(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Cricket as a sport has officially been added to the roster for the 2028 Olympics. The 2028 Olympics will take place in Los Angeles, USA and will feature five new sports, including cricket, baseball-softball, flag football, lacrosse and squash.
On Monday, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted in favour of Cricket to be added as a sport for LA28. It will be played in the T20 format. This decision came during the 141st Session of the IOC held in Mumbai.
“The choice of these five new sports is in line with the American sports culture and will showcase iconic American sports to the world, while bringing international sports to the United States,” said IOC President Thomas Bach last week.
“These sports will make the Olympic Games LA28 unique. Their inclusion will allow the Olympic Movement to engage with new athlete and fan communities in the US and globally,” he added.
Cricket made its sole Olympic appearance in the 1900 Summer Olympics, and after a 128-year hiatus, it was decided during the IOC’s executive board meeting in Mumbai on October 12 that cricket will be reintroduced in the XXXIV Olympiad.
Consequently, via a voting session, it was confirmed on Monday that cricket enthusiasts will once again witness cricketers being awarded medals on the Olympic podium.
Bach further stated that the IOC has closely observed the popularity of cricket, especially the T20 format, and mentioned the success of the ODI World Cup.
“We see growing popularity of cricket, particularly the T20 format. The World Cup (50 overs) is a huge success already,” Bach had said during the media briefing after the conclusion of the two-day Executive Board meeting on October 13.
Notably, the five sports greenlit by the IOC are only for LA28. The Los Angeles Games organizing committee proposed a six-team competition for men’s and women’s T20 cricket, including the USA as the host nation. However, specific decisions regarding the team count and qualification process will be made at a later date.
Bach also mentioned that the Committee will collaborate with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to create a blueprint for the matches and will hold meetings with the cricket boards to further enhance the sports’ popularity.
“We will work with the ICC as we do in all sports. We are not working with different national franchises here, we are working with respective international federations and looking forward to receiving their ideas (as to) how to use this inclusion in the Olympic programme to make cricket even more popular across the globe.”