Cricket is making a triumphant return to the summer Olympics after 128 years. The sport, which made its only appearance in the Olympics over a century ago, is set to be part of the 2028 LA Games. LA28, the organizing committee for the event, made this historic announcement through a media release. Alongside cricket, several other sports, including baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse, and squash, have been recommended for potential inclusion in the LA Olympics.
IOC’s Upcoming Decision
While LA28 has recommended these sports for inclusion, the final decision lies with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC will review and potentially ratify this recommendation during its executive board meeting in Mumbai, scheduled between October 12 and 14. This crucial step will determine whether cricket and other sports will officially join the LA Olympics.
Casey Wasserman, the chairperson of LA28, expressed enthusiasm about the recommended sports, highlighting their relevance and community-oriented nature. Wasserman emphasized that these sports have the potential to bring fresh perspectives to the Olympics, engage diverse fan bases, and enhance the digital presence of the Games. LA28 aims to deliver a unique and unforgettable Olympic experience through these additions.
Greg Barclay, chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), cautiously welcomed the news. He acknowledged the significance of LA28’s recommendation but emphasized that the final decision is pending. The prospect of cricket’s return to the Olympics, after more than a century, marks a significant milestone for the sport.
Cricket’s Journey to Olympic Reentry
Cricket’s quest to become part of the Olympics gained momentum last July when it was shortlisted for review by the IOC. It was competing with several other sports for inclusion. During its presentation to LA28, the ICC proposed a six-team T20 event for both men and women. The participating teams would be selected based on their rankings in the ICC’s T20 format. The ICC’s proposal aligns with LA28 and the IOC’s criteria for a world championship-style event with compact duration and substantial spectator interest.
Despite being played by nearly half of the world’s population, cricket has only featured once in the Olympics. The sport’s previous appearance was in the 1900 Paris Olympics, where Great Britain claimed the gold medal by defeating the host nation, France. The match, reminiscent of first-class fixtures, spanned two days and consisted of four innings. The potential inclusion of cricket in the 2028 LA Olympics is a momentous occasion for the sport, offering a global stage for cricketers to showcase their talents once more.
