IOC accepts recommendation of cricket's inclusion in 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially accepted the recommendation of cricket's inclusion in the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games to be held in Los Angeles, USA. The decision was confirmed at IOC's executive board's meeting in Mumbai. A formal confirmation is expected to be announced on Monday.

Notably, cricket had made its maiden (and only) previous appearance at the Olympics back in 1900 when it was one of only 18 sports. The decision to recommend these sports was made during the IOC's executive board meeting in Mumbai on October 12. The next step involves the IOC voting on the proposal during its "Session" scheduled from October 14 to 16 in Mumbai. 

The LA28 local organizing committee has proposed the addition of five new sports, including cricket, baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse, and squash, to be considered for inclusion in the Los Angeles Games. During a media briefing on Friday, IOC President Thomas Bach mentioned that all five sports align well with the overall spirit and vision of LA28.

"These proposals have been accepted as a package by the IOC executive board taking into consideration that these proposals and these sports are fully in line with the sports culture of our host in '28, with the American sports culture," Bach was quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

He underlined the significance of these sports and their potential to enrich the American sports landscape. Bach emphasized how their inclusion would provide an opportunity for American sports to gain prominence and foster connections between the Olympics, various athletes, and diverse fan communities.

"They will showcase iconic American sports to the world while bringing at the same time international sports to the United States. The inclusion will, on the other hand, allow the Olympics to engage with new athletes and fan communities in the US and globally," he concluded.

In its presentation to LA28, the ICC put forward a proposal for a T20 tournament featuring six teams, catering to both men and women's cricket. The participating teams would be determined based on the top six rankings in the ICC's T20 format, with a specific cut-off date considered.

The ICC's recommendation for the T20 format stemmed from the shared desire of both LA28 and the IOC for an event that can be deemed a true world championship. This ruled out the possibility of adopting formats like T10. The T20 format was favored because it not only met the criteria of being a world championship but also has a relatively short duration and garners substantial spectator interest.

Cricket's potential inclusion in the LA Olympics does not guarantee its permanent presence, as the IOC plans to periodically reassess its participation in subsequent editions, including the upcoming Brisbane 2032 Games. India has also expressed enthusiasm about hosting the 2036 Olympics.

When questioned about the influence of cricket's popularity, particularly in regions like the Global South, on the Olympics, Bach concurred that the appeal of cricket could not only be advantageous for the Olympics but also contribute to the sport's global expansion.

"This is a win-win situation. The Olympic Games will give cricket a global stage and the opportunity to grow beyond the traditional cricket countries and regions. We see it in India where you see the growing Olympic spirit, where you see a number of Olympic sports gaining strength and becoming popular. And cricket still being the No. 1 sport and the most popular sport," he said.