Cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympics marks a significant milestone after an absence of a century. The T20 format, along with other sports like squash, baseball/softball, flag football, and lacrosse, passed the vote to become part of the Los Angeles Games. This decision was based on several factors, including cricket’s immense popularity in Asia, its growing presence in the US, and the financial benefits it offers to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Cricket has established itself as a global sport with a massive following in Asia, and it is gaining traction in the US, where the Major League Cricket has recently launched. LA’s proposal to include cricket was supported by the IOC’s executive board, and this decision is seen as a win-win situation for the Olympic movement, the cricket community, and LA 28.
The dialogue between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the LA organizers began several years ago, and it received full support from all ICC members, including the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics is expected to provide unparalleled exposure to the sport in untapped global markets, including the US.
LA’s proposal includes six-team men’s and women’s cricket events, with the expectation that the ICC and other cricket organizations will provide the best players for the competition. This addition of new team sports will affect the number of athletes and quotas at the LA Olympics, with discussions ongoing to find the right balance.
The technical details, such as the number of quotas per sport and qualification processes, will be finalized after the 2024 Paris Olympics. For now, cricket’s return to the Olympics is a significant step, and it aspires to secure a lasting presence on this global stage.
