CRICKET’’S hopes of featuring in the Olympics are alive and kicking. After it was thought that the chances of the game’s inclusion in the Los Angeles Olympics of 2028 are virtually over, there comes the confirmation that LA28 has invited the International Cricket Council (ICC) to make a presentation.

According to information received from all concerned, cricket will be competing with eight other disciplines and one of them is break-dancing (World DanceSport Federation). Baseball/Softball (WBSC), flag football (IFAF), lacrosse (World Lacrosse), karate (WKF), kickboxing (WAKO), squash (WSF) and motorsport (FIA) are the other federations invited.

On Monday (August 1), a highly-placed source confirmed to Cricbuzz about the IOC/LA 28 invitation for the ICC. “Nine disciplines are on the shortlist of international federations invited to submit RFI (Request for Information) proposals for the LA28 Olympic sport programme review,” the source said. The presentations will have to be made later this month.

The final decision is expected ahead of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Mumbai in mid-2023.
How many of those invited will eventually be included in the Games is not known but LA28 has already announced 28 disciplines – aquatics, archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, canoe, cycling, equestrian, fencing, golf, gymnastics, handball, hockey, judo, rowing, rugby, sailing, shooting, skateboarding, soccer, sport climbing, surfing, taekwondo, tennis, table tennis, triathlon, volleyball and wrestling. As reported by Cricbuzzz on June 6, LA28 is not obliged to include new sports but it is expected to consider those games which will fit its cap of 10 500 athletes at the Olympics.

“Beyond the initial 28 sports, the organising committee for the LA28 Games has the opportunity, but not an obligation, to propose additional new sports for inclusion in the LA28 Olympic programme.
In the coming months, LA28 and the IOC will work with international federations to review disciplines with the evaluation criteria. The criteria will also aid in the evaluation of potential new sports for the LA28 Olympic Games,” an LA28 spokesperson had told Cricbuzz in June.

The IOC pitch will be on the global appeal of the game with over one billion fans, most of them young. It would also confirm that the world’s best players will be competing in the most exciting format of the game (T20).
Asked about the Olympic hopes, ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice told journalists recently, “We have declared the ambition to be involved in the Olympic Games. We are assisting the LA28 organisers and providing them the information for their assessment of different sports in regard to the addition to the Olympic programme. At this stage the decisions are due next year. There is not much to report at this stage other than the fact we are assisting the LA28 organisers.”

He added: “The idea of having an Annual conference in Birmingham is to celebrate cricket’s involvement with the Commonwealth Games for the first time in 24 years with the women’s T20 event.
Judging from the reaction of the players, they are all excited and enjoying the experience of being with the top athletes of other sports.” (Cricbuzz)