Cricket Set to Return to Olympics in 2028 Los Angeles Games: Report
United States have recently taken a bigger interest in cricket as well with them co-hosting the ICC Cricket World Cup 2024 and trying to build an ecosystem inside their nation. This interest acting as the base, reports have emerged with the suggestion that cricket is set to be involved in the Los Angeles Olympics 2028.
Cricket has been making it's entry in the multi-sport events slowly and steadily. After the inclusion of Women's Cricket in 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou had cricket back in its list of events with the Indian men's and women's teams winning the gold medal. There has been already discussions and proposals from ICC to the organising commitee of 2028 Los Angeles Olympics since the last two years. United States have recently taken a bigger interest in cricket as well with them co-hosting the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and trying to build an ecosystem inside their nation. With the T20 Franchise League Major League Cricket involving the Indian Premier League franchises as stakeholders being a large success, the organizers are optimistic about the development of cricket in USA. This interest acting as the base, reports have emerged with the suggestion that cricket is set to be involved in the Los Angeles Olympics 2028. Indian Men’s Cricket Team Wins Gold Medal in Asian Games 2023 After Final Match Against Afghanistan Called Off Due to Rain in Hangzhou.
ICC Statement On Cricket's Inclusion in Los Angeles Olympics 2028
According to sources, Cricket is set to make a comeback at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, after making its sole appearance in the 1900 Paris Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been advised to include cricket as one of the new sports at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, after a decision made this week following discussions with the LA Olympics Organising committee. Cricket has only ever been played at the Olympics once, in 1900, between France and Great Britain, with the latter winning by a score of 185 runs. Other sports like baseball, softball, flag football, lacrosse, break dancing, karate, kickboxing, squash and motorsport are also in line to be added to the Summer Olympics 2028 in Los Angeles.
The list of games to be added to the Olympic Games have reportedly been confirmed and recommended by the Los Angeles organising committee. Following discussions with the Olympic programme commission, the additions will reportedly be officially announced following the Mumbai session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) subject to approval.
According to the Guardian, the current Olympic broadcast rights in India are sold for individual Games and reported to be worth just £15.6m ($20m) for Paris 2024. But industry experts have told the Guardian that, depending on the format and the number of guaranteed matches for India, this figure could rise to £150m if cricket was included in Los Angeles. India Women's Cricket Team Wins Gold Medal at Asian Games 2023 With 19-Run Victory over Sri Lanka, Bangladesh Settle for Bronze.
In an official statement released by the ICC, Chairman Greg Barclay said "We are delighted that LA28 have recommended cricket for inclusion in the Olympics. Whilst this is not the final decision, it is a very significant landmark towards seeing cricket at the Olympics for the first time in more than a century. I'd like to thank LA28 for their support during the new sport evaluation process over last two years and we look forward to the final decision being taken at the IOC Session, in India, during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup next week."
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 09, 2023 11:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).