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The International Olympic Committee executive board has given the green light to include five sports, namely cricket, flag football, lacrosse, squash, and baseball-softball, proposed for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
The approval marks a significant step, leaving these sports with one final hurdle to secure their spots in the Olympic lineup. According to IOC rules established a few years ago, host cities have the authority to request the inclusion of specific sports for their respective editions of the Games. Organizers of the LA 2028 Games had expressed their desire to include these sports in the event.
“These proposals have been accepted as a package by the IOC Executive Board,” IOC President Thomas Bach told a press conference at the end of the executive board meeting.
“Taking into consideration that these proposals and these sports are fully in line with the sports culture of our hosts in 2028, with the American sports culture, they will showcase iconic American sports to the world while bringing at the same time international sports to the Unites States.”
The recommendation made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board, including sports like cricket, now awaits approval at the upcoming IOC session starting on Sunday.
Cricket, immensely popular in India and experiencing rapid global growth, is poised to make a comeback to the Olympics after its single appearance in the 1900 Games. India is also contemplating bids for hosting future Olympic events.
In the proposal for the Los Angeles Games, there is a plan for a six-team Twenty20 cricket tournament for both men and women. T20 cricket is known for its short and dynamic format.
“The inclusion (of these sports)… will allow the Olympic movement to engage with new athletes and fan communities in the United States and globally,” said Bach.
“We see the growing popularity of cricket, particularly the T20 format. “We are ready to welcome the world’s best players of cricket to perform in the United States in 2028.”
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