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Cricket enthusiasts around the world are rejoicing as the sport is on the brink of making a historic return to the Olympics after a hiatus of 128 years. The last time cricket graced the Olympic stage was way back in 1900, but now, it seems the wait for its resurgence in the global sporting extravaganza is almost over.
While the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 continues to captivate the cricketing world, another exciting development has taken centre stage, capturing the attention of fans and athletes alike. The news of cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has sent ripples of excitement
through the sporting community.
Historical perspective
Cricket’s previous appearance in the Olympics was a one-off event during the 1900 Paris Olympics. Since then, cricket’s journey to regain its spot in the Olympics has been long and challenging. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has been tirelessly working to see cricket become an integral part of the Olympics once again. After years of effort, it appears that the dream is closer to becoming a reality.
Final approval
As the world eagerly awaits the outcome, the ICC’s efforts are now concentrated on obtaining the official stamp of approval at the 141st International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session, scheduled to be held in Mumbai on October 15-16. This decisive moment could see cricket’s formal return to the Olympic program.
Los Angeles Olympic Committee’s recommendation
In a significant step towards cricket’s Olympic return, the Los Angeles organizing committee has proposed the inclusion of cricket in the T20 format for the 2028 Games. Alongside cricket, the committee has also recommended the addition of four other sports: squash, lacrosse, flag football, and baseball/softball. This announcement has been met with enthusiasm, especially by the cricketing community.
The International Cricket Council expressed its delight and confirmed the recommendation made by the Los Angeles organizing committee as the ICC Chairman Greg Barclay stated, “We are delighted that LA28 has recommended cricket for inclusion in the Olympics. While 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.”
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IOC President’s involvement
Interestingly, the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, was recently seen getting involved in cricket himself during his visit to Mumbai. Bach engaged with young cricket enthusiasts during an event in Navi Mumbai, enjoying the sport.
The road to cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics has been long and arduous, but the prospect of seeing the world’s top cricketers competing on the grandest stage of all is tantalizing. As the IOC session in Mumbai approaches, cricket fans can only hope that the final approval will be granted, making the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics an unforgettable event for cricket lovers worldwide.
