The ongoing campaign to include cricket in the Olympics has made notable progress, particularly with the Los Angeles 2028 Games on the horizon.
This week, an important step forward was taken as Jay Shah, the Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), met with Thomas Bach, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in Lausanne, Switzerland.
This high-profile meeting underscores the growing collaboration between cricketing authorities and the IOC to bring cricket to the global stage, aligning the sport's ambitions with the IOC’s vision to showcase a diverse range of sports in the Olympics.
Cricket's bid for Olympic inclusion has gained momentum, partly due to the sport's immense popularity in regions such as South Asia, Australia, and the UK. Furthermore, the sport’s growing influence in countries like the United States has helped bolster its case.
The inclusion of the shorter T20 format, known for its fast-paced and spectator-friendly nature, offers a version of the game that fits seamlessly within the Olympic framework. The T20 format's compact nature could make it ideal for the tight schedules of the Olympic Games, attracting a large global audience.
The inclusion of cricket in the LA28 Games presents an opportunity not only to expand the Olympic audience but also to provide cricket with a global platform.
This could open doors to new markets, offering the sport a chance to grow even further and develop its presence in previously untapped regions. The Olympic spotlight could potentially help the sport attract new sponsors, expand its fan base, and increase participation at the grassroots level worldwide.
The ICC shared this exciting development on their official Instagram account on Tuesday, announcing that the momentum surrounding cricket’s inclusion in the LA28 Games continues to build.
In the post, the ICC stated: “Momentum continues to build around cricket’s inclusion as an Olympic sport at the LA28 Games and beyond, with Jay Shah meeting IOC President Thomas Bach in Lausanne, Switzerland this week.”
Cricket’s inclusion in the Olympic Games is especially significant given its absence from the global sporting event for over a century. The last time cricket appeared in the Olympics was during the 1900 Paris Games, where Great Britain won the gold medal after defeating France in the final.
The decision to bring cricket back to the Olympics was made in October of last year during the 141st IOC session held in Mumbai. The competition will feature the T20 format, which is expected to draw in fans from around the world due to its dynamic nature and fast-paced games.
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