Cricket Returns to Olympics After a Century Gap
Cricket fans around the world have reason to celebrate as the sport is set to make a triumphant return to the Olympics after a gap of more than a century. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board has approved the inclusion of cricket as one of the five new proposed sports for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
The decision to bring back cricket to the Olympic fold was met with enthusiasm and excitement at the IOC Session in Mumbai. A video presentation showcased the thrilling moments of the game, featuring renowned players like David Warner and Virat Kohli. The fast-paced and appealing T20 format was emphasized as a perfect fit for the Olympics, with an estimated 2.5 billion fans worldwide.
Cricket’s return to the Olympics was made possible by a combination of factors. The sport’s popularity in Asia, its growing market in the United States, and its potential to generate significant financial benefits for the IOC all played a role in the decision. The inclusion of cricket is expected to open new frontiers for the sport, providing unparalleled exposure in untapped global markets.
The proposal put forward by the LA organizing committee received overwhelming support, with just two members voting against the inclusion of cricket in the 2028 Olympics. Though there were concerns about cricket’s global representation in terms of national federations, these concerns did not hinder its entry into the Games.
The LA Games committee had been considering cricket from the beginning of their preparations for the Olympics. After engaging with cricket stakeholders, including the International Cricket Council (ICC) and major cricket leagues such as the Major League Cricket (MLC) and the Indian Premier League (IPL), they were convinced of the sport’s potential. The successful debut of women’s T20 cricket at the 2022 Commonwealth Games further strengthened their belief in including cricket in the Olympics.
In the upcoming 2028 Olympics, cricket will feature six-team men’s and women’s events. However, it has been agreed that the ICC and the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) will provide the best players for the competition. This arrangement will be closely monitored, and it may require adjustments to the ICC’s Future Tours Programme to accommodate the Olympics.
The inclusion of cricket and four other new team sports will have an impact on the number of athletes and quotas for the Games. The quota count for the LA Olympics will exceed the usual cap of 10,500 athletes set by the IOC. Finding a solution to limit the overshoot will be a crucial task for the Olympic Program Commission.
While the return of cricket to the Olympics is an exciting development, cricket officials and enthusiasts hope that it will be a permanent feature in future Games. The ICC chairman Greg Barclay expressed his desire for cricket to become a permanent member of the Olympic movement, highlighting the sport’s potential to reach new audiences and markets.
As the countdown to the 2028 Olympics begins, cricket fans can look forward to witnessing their favorite sport on the global stage once again. The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics not only brings joy to millions of fans but also presents a unique opportunity for the sport to grow and thrive in new territories.
