In a significant development, cricket, which has languished outside the Olympic arena for over a century, has taken a substantial step toward reclaiming its place in the global sporting spectacle. The International Olympic Committee’s executive board, convened in Mumbai for its second-day session on Friday, gave its nod of approval to include cricket in the roster of sports for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
IOC President Thomas Bach, speaking after the executive board meeting, disclosed that the proposal by LA organizers to introduce Twenty20 cricket, along with baseball/softball, flag football (non-contact American football), squash, and lacrosse, had received favorable acceptance. Nevertheless, the final verdict on the inclusion of these sports in the 2028 program will be decided in a formal vote during the IOC session scheduled for Monday, hosted in Mumbai, an epicenter of cricket fervor as India hosts the men’s 50-over Cricket World Cup.
Bach expressed optimism about the prospect of cricket’s return to the Olympics, emphasizing its potential to connect with new athlete and fan communities. He acknowledged the surging popularity of T20 cricket and eagerly anticipated hosting the world’s top cricket players in the United States in 2028.
The blueprint for the 2028 Games put forth by Los Angeles officials features a six-team competition in both men’s and women’s T20 cricket, with the United States poised to field teams as the host nation. Nevertheless, specific details regarding the number of teams and the qualification process remain pending until cricket’s formal ratification on Monday.
Cricket’s last Olympic appearance dates back to the 1900 Paris Olympics when a British team triumphed over a French representation. The sport has been making persistent efforts to return to the Olympic fold for more than a decade, with the encouragement of the broader Olympic movement.
From a financial perspective, the inclusion of cricket is an astute move. It presents a golden opportunity to tap into the lucrative South Asian market, captivating enthusiasts in cricket-crazed nations like India and Pakistan. T20 cricket, known for its brevity, stands as the sport’s shortest international format.
India, with its influential Indian Premier League featuring global cricketing stars, has assumed a dominant role in the sport’s economic landscape, boasting a massive fan base and lucrative broadcasting agreements in a nation where cricket holds near-religious status.
While cricket’s return to the Olympics is gathering momentum, the status of boxing in the 2028 Games remains uncertain. The IOC had previously revoked recognition of the International Boxing Association due to governance disputes, raising questions about the sport’s inclusion. Boxing has been a fixture at the Olympics since 1920 and is set to feature in Paris next year. President Bach expressed a desire to retain boxing in the Olympic program while emphasizing the governance dispute’s distinct nature.
