LA28 Olympics committee proposes Cricket inclusion for 2028 games

KARACHI: In a historic move for cricket, the LA28 Olympic Games organising committee has officially put forth a proposal advocating the inclusion of cricket in the 2028 Olympic Games to be held in the United States.

According to Geo, the committee, in its groundbreaking proposal, has suggested the T20 format, the shortest version of cricket, and has also recommended the inclusion of baseball, flag football, lacrosse, and squash in the Olympic lineup.

Highlighting the spirit of diversity in Los Angeles, where the games are set to take place, the organisers stated that the move towards inclusiveness aims to infuse the games with a sense of freshness while fostering stronger relationships with international federations and professional leagues.

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Meanwhile, the proposal is set to undergo review by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during the upcoming 141st IOC Session in Mumbai later this month. If approved, the afore-mentioned five sports will join the existing 28 in the LA28 Olympics.

Expressing their delight at the prospect, the International Cricket Council (ICC) noted that the recommendation comes after two years of collaborative efforts with the LA28 organisers.

“We are delighted that LA28 has recommended cricket for inclusion in the Olympics. While this is not the final decision, it is a significant milestone towards bringing cricket back to the Olympics for the first time in over a century,” said Greg Barclay, Chairman ICC.

It is worth noting that cricket has a less-known history in the Olympics, with England facing France in a “one-off” match in Paris in 1900, where England secured the gold.