Cricket Set to Return to Olympics in 2028: IOC Approves LA's Recommendation

LOS ANGELES: In a landmark decision on Friday, October 13, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) took a significant step towards including cricket in the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics. Cricket was one of five sports disciplines recommended by the LA Organizing Committee for the 2028 games, with the approval coming during the IOC's executive meeting in Mumbai.

This momentous decision to greenlight LA's recommendation was made during the executive board meeting in Mumbai. The final vote on cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Olympics will occur during the official IOC Session on Monday, October 16. This marks a historic return for cricket to the Olympic stage, as it was last played in the Games during the 1900 edition in Paris, a staggering 128 years ago.

IOC President Thomas Bach, speaking after the executive board meeting, expressed the committee's enthusiasm for introducing cricket to the 2028 Olympics. He stated, "For the IOC, it is a great opportunity to engage with new athletes and fan communities. We see the growing popularity of T20 cricket and look forward to welcoming the world's best players to the US in 2028."

The IOC had to make three key decisions regarding the sports program for Los Angeles 2028. The first decision involved the Los Angeles Organizing Committee recommending five new sports: cricket, baseball, softball, flag football, and squash. The IOC intends to collaborate with the International Cricket Council (ICC) rather than individual cricket authorities from various nations to boost the sport's global appeal.

The LA Organizing Committee has proposed a six-team T20I (Twenty20 International) event for both men's and women's cricket teams. The United States, as the host nation, will be able to field both teams, while the remaining teams could be selected based on their ICC T20I team rankings. However, official decisions regarding the number of teams and the game's format will be finalized once the sport receives the official green light on Monday.

This groundbreaking development signals a revival for cricket on the world stage, especially considering its recent inclusion in the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the upcoming Asian Games in 2023. Cricket enthusiasts worldwide eagerly anticipate the return of their beloved sport to the Olympics, with hopes for an exciting and competitive T20I competition in the City of Angels in 2028.

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