Cricket is set to make a return to the Summer Olympics in the 2028 Los Angeles Games, marking its comeback after 128 years since its last appearance. This exciting news was confirmed by LA28 in a recent announcement, which listed cricket, along with baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse, and squash, as recommended for potential inclusion as new sports for the LA Olympics.
The official recommendation from LA28 will undergo review and approval by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during its executive board meeting in Mumbai from October 12 to 14. Casey Wasserman, the Chairperson of LA28, expressed excitement for the proposed sports, highlighting their relevance, innovation, and community-based appeal. These factors could help the Olympic movement by engaging diverse fan bases and expanding its presence in the digital realm.
Greg Barclay, Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), welcomed the recommendation but remained cautiously optimistic. Initially, cricket was not on the IOC’s list of 28 sports, but it gained significant attention when it was added to a shortlist of nine sports being considered for inclusion in the Olympics. During the presentation to LA28, the ICC proposed a six-team T20 cricket event for both men and women, featuring the top six ranked teams in the ICC’s T20 rankings.
