New Delhi: Cricket’s T20 format will now be a part of the Los Angeles Olympics 2028, as confirmed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during Monday’s vote.
Both men’s and women’s T20 competitions, among four others, have been added to the roster for the upcoming LA Games.
The announcement is special as it coincides with the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 in India. The decision was revealed during the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai, marking the return of this esteemed event to India after a 40-year hiatus.
Earlier, the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) gave its approval to the proposal from Los Angeles Games organizers to incorporate cricket into the event’s program. Cricket, featuring T20 matches for both men’s and women’s teams, is among five sports included, alongside baseball-softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash.
IOC President Thomas Bach emphasized that the decision to include cricket and the four additional sports, specifically for the Los Angeles Games in 2028, aligns with the American sports culture. Furthermore, he highlighted that this move will facilitate the Olympic movement in engaging with new athletes and fan communities in the United States and globally.
“We see the growing popularity of cricket, particularly the T20 format. The World Cup (50 overs) is a huge success already,” Bach had said during the media briefing after the conclusion of the two-day Executive Board meeting on October 13.
The shortest format of cricket, along with baseball-softball, lacrosse (sixes), squash, and flag football, constitutes the five sports exclusively sanctioned for the Los Angeles Games in 2028. Notably, cricket’s inclusion marks its return to the Olympics for the first time since 1900.
The organizing committee for the Los Angeles Games had put forth a proposal for a six-team competition in both men’s and women’s T20 cricket, with the United States positioned to field teams as the host nation. However, specific determinations regarding the number of teams and the qualification system will be addressed at a later stage.
“We will work with the ICC as we do in all sports. We are not working with different national franchises here, we are working with respective international federations and looking forward to receiving their ideas (as to) how to use this inclusion in the Olympic programme to make cricket even more popular across the globe,” IOC president Bach had said.
Cricket holds significant value for the IOC, expecting a substantial increase in broadcast revenue from India, projected to be at least $100 million, as the country’s beloved sport becomes part of the Olympic lineup.