United States: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved the addition of five sports, including cricket and flag football, to the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
LA Games organizers also proposed lacrosse, squash, and baseball-softball for inclusion and received approval at an IOC meeting in Mumbai.
According to the IOC rules, each host city can request the inclusion of several sports for their edition of the Games. The five sports had already received approval from the powerful IOC Executive Board, with the session confirming its recommendation. All five sports were voted in as a single package, with two “no” votes from about 90 IOC members in the room.
Cricket, which has a large number of supporters in India and a fast-growing global audience, returns to the Games after more than a century. The game has previously appeared at the 1900 Olympics. The LA Games proposal is for a six-team Twenty20 cricket tournament for men and women.
The IOC believes that cricket’s inclusion will activate and engage a large, new Olympic audience, especially among Asian fans of the sport.
Mr. Greg Barclay, the International Cricket Council Chairman, commented that he was “thrilled” by cricket’s inclusion in 2028.
“To have the opportunity to showcase our great sport at the LA28 Games and hopefully many Olympic Games to come will be great for players and fans alike,” Mr. Barclay added.
Furthermore, Ms. Mithali Raj, former India captain and leading female run scorer of all time, stated that the news was exciting for the sport.
“Players will get the chance to compete for an Olympic gold medal and be part of the games, which will be so special. It’s also a chance for more fans around the world to enjoy our fantastic sport,” Ms. Raj added.
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