It is finally official. Cricket will return to the Olympic Games in the 2028 Los Angeles Game in the T20 format, with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approving the proposal to include five new sports, which also include baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse, and squash.
Cricket has only appeared in the Olympics once in history, which was in 1900 in Paris. That edition of the game saw only two teams participate, as hosts France played a Test match against Great Britain (GB). Both teams won medals, as GB took the gold while the French side was awarded the silver.
The IOC voted in favour of the proposal during the ongoing 141st IOC session in Mumbai.
“The proposal from the organizing committee of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 to include five new sports in the program has been accepted by the IOC session. Baseball/softball, cricket (T20), flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash will be in the programme at LA28,” the IOC issued in a statement.
The decision comes on the back of both the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, as well as cricket. The 2023 Asian Games saw both men’s and women’s cricket being included for the third time, but the first occasion of India sending a team. The Indian men’s and women’s teams both won gold. The women’s team also secured silver in the CWG after losing a close final to Australia.
” I am delighted that IOC members have voted to include Cricket as an Olympic Sport in the LA Summer Olympics 2028! The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics will create deeper engagement for the Olympic Movement in newer geographies. And at the same time, provides a boost to cricket’s growing international popularity,” IOC member Nita Ambani said.
During the IOC session in Mumbai, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a huge announcement and revealed India would bid for the 2036 edition.
If India does get the hosting rights, it opens up the chance for cricket to become a long-term part of the Olympic roaster, with the 2032 edition also scheduled in the cricket-dominant nation of Australia, with Brisbane set to host the games.
