In October 2023, the 141st session of the International Olympics Committee (IOC) saw the approval of five new sports to the roster of the world's most prestigious sporting event. Baseball/softball, cricket, flag football, lacrosse and squash would now be part of the Olympic Games from 2028 onwards.
IOC Session approves @LA28’s proposal for 5⃣ additional sports:
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) October 16, 2023
⚾Baseball/🥎softball, 🏏cricket, 🏈flag football, 🥍lacrosse and ⚫squash have been officially included as additional sports on the programme for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028. #LA28 pic.twitter.com/y7CLk2UEYx
Has cricket ever been played at the Olympics?
For cricket, the decision marks a re-entry to the Games after 128 years. It was played for the first and last time at the 1900 Paris Olympics, and had just two participants; Great Britain and France. There was just one match, played over two days, and Great Britain won with just five minutes to spare on the second day. It was, however, only recognised as an Olympic event in 1912.
Over the years, cricket boards like the ECB and BCCI have been opposed to including cricket in the Olympics, but their stance reportedly softening of late has helped paved the way for its inclusion now.
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Cricket at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics: All you need to know
Format
Unlike in 1900, the format of cricket in the 2028 Olympics will not be Test cricket. T20 cricket has been approved as the game's format, with separate tournaments for the men's and women's teams. A total of six teams will participate in each tournament, with details on qualification and the format of the league yet to be ironed out.
Venue
The venue for cricket has not yet been decided, but there have been unconfirmed reports from earlier this year that the matches could be staged in New York, on the East Coast of the USA (Los Angeles is on the West Coast) in order to tap into the primetime television slot in the South Asian region.
New York hosted eight group stage matches in the recently-concluded T20 World Cup, including three of India's four games. The pitch at the pop-up venue in Nassau County came in for harsh criticism from some quarters, and it remains to be seen whether that will have an impact on any decision regarding the Olympics.
More to follow...
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