Cricket inclusion has been approved by the International Olympic Committee for the 2028 Los Angeles Games
The exile of cricket has been coming to an end after more than 100 years, as the inclusion of the game has been approved by the International Olympic Committee's executive board for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. After Friday's second day of an executive board meeting in Mumbai, IOC president Thomas Bach said officials had accepted a proposal by LA organizers for Twenty20 cricket to be included as one of five new sports together with baseball/softball, flag football (non-contact American football), squash, and lacrosse. But the final choice of which sports are on the 2028 programme will be voted on Monday at the IOC session in Mumbai, one of the hotbeds of cricket, as India hosts the men's 50-over Cricket World Cup.
Bach said, "For the IOC, it is a great opportunity to engage with new athlete and fan communities.” He further added, "We see the growing popularity of T20 cricket, and we look forward to welcoming the world's best players to the US in 2028.”
The chiefs of Los Angeles have proposed a six-team event in both men's and women's T20 cricket, with the United States set to field sides as the host nation. But no firm decision on the number of teams or how they are qualified will be taken unless and until cricket receives formal ratification on Monday.