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Cricket Olympics Returns in 2028 Los Angeles Games

Cricket, the beloved sport with a rich history, is making a grand return to the Olympics! It’s an exciting development for cricket enthusiasts around the world, and in this blog, we’ll break down what this means for the sport and why it’s such a big deal.

Cricket Olympic Journey

Cricket’s Olympic journey began way back in 1900 when it made its debut at the Paris Games. Fast forward 128 years, and cricket is set to shine once again at the LA28 Olympics. This revival is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the International Cricket Council (ICC), which has been actively pursuing Olympic inclusion.

LA28’s Bold Proposal

The LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games submitted a formal proposal that included cricket in the Twenty20 format, alongside baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash. This proposal is now awaiting formal approval during the IOC session in Mumbai. The ICC wasted no time in expressing their delight over this decision, seeing it as a significant milestone.

Economic Incentive

One of the driving forces behind cricket’s inclusion is economics. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) aims to capitalize on cricket’s massive popularity, especially in countries like India. The media rights for the Olympics are currently valued at around $16 million per edition. However, with cricket in the mix, this figure could skyrocket to a staggering $200 million. Imagine an India-Pakistan cricket match for the gold medal drawing over a billion viewers – it’s a level of viewership rarely seen in other Olympic sports.

LA28’s Vision

Kathy Carter, the CEO of LA28, emphasizes that their approach to including cricket is all about thinking differently and embracing culturally relevant competition. They aim to energize the Games with fresh sports that resonate with communities, both locally and globally.

BCCI Green Light

Crucially, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) gave the green light for cricket’s inclusion a couple of years ago. Historically, the BCCI had reservations about Olympic participation due to concerns about coming under the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and potential commercial losses. However, times have changed, and they are now on board with the idea.

LA28’s Bold Recommendations

LA28 has recommended cricket along with four other sports for “potential inclusion” in the 2028 Olympics. The IOC will review and ratify this recommendation during their executive board meeting in Mumbai, ensuring that cricket’s comeback is one step closer to reality.

Cricket Olympic 1900

Cricket has been played by nearly half the world’s population, but it has only made one Olympic appearance – in 1900. Back then, Great Britain took home the gold after defeating France in a two-day match with four innings, resembling a first-class fixture.

Awaiting the Final Verdict

The journey for cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympics is well underway. While it’s not a done deal yet, cricket fans worldwide are hopeful and excited about the prospect of witnessing their favorite sport on the Olympic stage once more.

ICC Chairman Greg Barclay sums it up perfectly, saying, “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.” The final verdict awaits, and cricket lovers can’t wait to see if this dream becomes a reality.