Cricket set to return to the Olympics in 2028

Cricket could be included in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 and the IOC will take a final call later this week.

Cricket could make its much anticipated return to the summer Olympics for the Los Angeles Games in 2028. The sport was part of the Paris Olympics in 1900 and is set to make a return on the big stage 128 years later. The development was first reported by The Guardian and it was later confirmed by LA28 in a media release on Monday.

The news comes across as music to the ears of cricket fans in India who have been desperately wanting to see the most popular sport in the country represented at the Olympics. The sports of baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse, and squash will also be joining cricket as they’ve been recommended for “potential inclusion” as new sports to the Los Angeles Olympic Games.

The LA28 statement on the inclusion of these recommended sports also mentioned that they will be “reviewed” and ratified later this week. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will tend to the matter at its executive board meeting in Mumbai, which will take place between October 12 and 14.

Casey Wasserman, LA28's chairperson, said that all the five sports recommended were "relevant, innovative and community-based" which could enhance the Olympics movement.

"LA28's proposed sports ignite the imagination on the field of play and drive culture off it. They're relevant, innovative and community-based, played in backyards, schoolyards, community centers, stadiums and parks across the U.S. and the globe," Wasserman said. "They will bring new athletes to the Games, engage diverse fanbases and expand the Games' presence in digital spaces, further amplifying LA28's mission to deliver an unparalleled experience."

The chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) was delighted with the development. However, he was also guarded in his reaction. "We are delighted that LA28 have recommended cricket for inclusion in the Olympics," Barclay said in a media release. "Whilst 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 Olympics had last played host to cricket at the Paris Games in 1900. On that occasion, England defeated France in a one-off match to secure the gold medal. That game, however, was played over two days and consisted of four innings like a first-class fixture.

Cricket didn’t actually feature in the original list of 28 sports that the IOC was considering for the Los Angeles Games last February. However, the hopes to see cricket under the Olympic umbrella received an immense boost in July 2022 when it was added to a shortlist of nine to be reviewed by the IOC for addition. It was originally vying for a spot alongside baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse, break dancing, karate, kickboxing, squash and motorsport.

Cricket was seen at two recent editions of the Commonwealth Games in 1998 in Kuala Lumpur and in 2022 in Birmingham. Meanwhile, it was also included in the roster of the recently concluded Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

The ICC, during its presentation for the LA28 Games, recommended the T20 format for both men and women. The participating teams would be limited to the top six sides in the ICC T20 rankings by a specific cut-off date.

It is believed that the tournament structure is yet to be finalised as discussions are being held on the same.