The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has given the green light to add cricket and four other sports to the lineup for the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. This decision, made during the IOC Session in Mumbai, received strong support, with only two votes against it.
Cricket, widely regarded as the world’s second most popular sport after football, owing to its immense following in India, will make a return to the Olympics. It will be joined by baseball/softball, lacrosse, flag football, and squash, bringing an exciting variety to the sporting events.
One of the driving forces behind this inclusion is the desire to capitalize on India’s deep-rooted passion for cricket. India’s status as the world’s most populous country makes it an increasingly attractive market for the International Olympic Committee. In fact, India is even planning to bid for the 2036 Games.
Cricket had only been previously featured in the Olympics back in 1900 in Paris. The 2028 Olympics will host a tournament for both men and women, focusing on the shorter version of the game, Twenty20.
Lacrosse, baseball, softball, and flag football have historical connections to North America and will be welcomed back to the Olympic stage, with lacrosse having been part of the Summer Games in 1904 and 1908, and baseball and women’s softball making recent appearances in the Tokyo Games of 2021.
The addition of these team sports, along with squash, is expected to increase the number of participants in the Los Angeles Games to over 11,000. Previously, the maximum number of athletes at Summer Games was capped at 10,500. The upcoming Olympics will take place in Paris in July and August.
Gloria