Cricket among seven sports waiting for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics call up
Cricket, along with six other sports, is still waiting to find out if it will be added to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The process to add sports that organizers in Los Angeles want at the 2028 Games was unexpectedly delayed Wednesday by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC cited “ongoing discussions” with L.A. officials as the issue — a clear rift between the two sides — despite the timetable being known for years and only two days before a key meeting to let nine candidate sports know which is set to get Olympic status.
The IOC-appointed panel studying sports program changes “has not yet had the opportunity to hold its meeting to prepare its final recommendation.” On Friday, the Olympic body’s executive board was scheduled to recommend which of the nine sports would join the core events. The candidates are cricket, baseball-softball, flag football, lacrosse, breaking, karate, kickboxing, squash and motorsports. The IOC board also was scheduled to give clarity on the uncertain Olympic futures for boxing, modern pentathlon and weightlifting beyond their appearances at the 2024 Paris Games.
Although the final decision rests with the IOC members, who will meet from Oct. 15-17 in Mumbai, India, that would typically be a formality to rubber stamp the board’s position. India has long seemed the ideal setting to bring cricket — in its shortened T20 format — back to the Olympics for the first time since its only appearance at the 1900 Paris Games. An India-Pakistan cricket match at the Olympics could deliver the biggest global television audience of any event. Breaking, the official name of breakdancing, is likely to be retained in 2028 ahead of its widely anticipated debut in Paris next year.
The IOC gave no new timetable Wednesday for decisions, saying that “the sports program for the Olympic Games LA28 will be discussed during a later IOC (board) meeting, to take place at a date to be decided.”
Cricket’s long journey to Olympic recognition
Cricket has been trying to get into the Olympics for a long time, but has faced several challenges and obstacles. The sport was first played at the 1900 Paris Games, where only two teams participated: Great Britain and France. Great Britain won by 158 runs in a two-day match that was not recognized as an official international fixture. Cricket did not feature again in the Olympics until 1996, when it was a demonstration sport at the Atlanta Games. However, only two matches were played between Australia and Bangladesh (men) and England and Pakistan (women).
Since then, cricket has been lobbying for inclusion in the Olympics, but has met with resistance from some of its own members and stakeholders. The International Cricket Council (ICC), the governing body of cricket, has been divided over whether to pursue Olympic status or not. Some of the major cricketing nations, such as India and England, have been reluctant to commit to the Olympics due to scheduling conflicts, commercial interests and political issues. Other countries, such as Ireland and Afghanistan, have been more supportive of the idea, seeing it as an opportunity to grow the game and gain more exposure.
The ICC has also faced challenges from the IOC, which has been keen to reduce the size and cost of the Olympics and promote gender equality and youth appeal. Cricket’s traditional format of five-day Test matches does not fit well with these criteria, nor does its limited global reach and popularity compared to other sports. The ICC has tried to address these concerns by proposing a shorter and more exciting format of T20 cricket, which lasts about three hours per match and involves more action and drama. The ICC has also increased its efforts to develop women’s cricket and expand its membership base.
Cricket’s potential benefits from Olympic inclusion
Despite the difficulties and uncertainties, cricket still has a lot to gain from being part of the Olympics. The sport could benefit from increased funding, exposure and participation if it is accepted by the IOC. According to a report by PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), cricket could receive an additional $22.5 million per year from Olympic revenues if it is included in the 2028 Games. This would help boost cricket’s development programs and infrastructure around the world.
Cricket could also benefit from increased media coverage and public interest if it is showcased at the Olympics. The sport could reach new audiences and markets that are not familiar with or interested in cricket otherwise. The Olympics could also provide a platform for cricket to showcase its diversity and inclusivity, as well as its social and cultural impact. Cricket could also enhance its reputation and credibility as a global sport by being part of the Olympic movement.
Cricket could also benefit from increased participation and talent development if it is part of the Olympics. The sport could attract more players and fans from different backgrounds and regions who would be inspired by seeing their heroes compete at the highest level. The Olympics could also provide an incentive for smaller cricketing nations to invest more in their domestic structures and pathways, as well as for larger cricketing nations to support them. The Olympics could also create more opportunities for cross-border and cross-cultural exchanges and collaborations among cricketing communities.
Cricket’s chances of making the cut for 2028 Olympics
Cricket’s chances of making the cut for the 2028 Olympics are still uncertain, as the IOC has not given any clear indication of its preferences or criteria. The IOC has said that it will consider factors such as gender balance, youth appeal, universality, popularity, cost and legacy when evaluating the candidate sports. However, the IOC has also said that it will consult with the L.A. organizers and respect their wishes, as they have the right to propose sports that are relevant and appealing to their local context and culture.
Cricket’s main competitors for Olympic inclusion are likely to be baseball-softball, which was part of the Olympics from 1992 to 2008 and will return in 2020 and 2024, and karate, which will make its debut in 2020 and 2024. Both sports have strong support from the L.A. organizers and the American public, as well as from other regions such as Asia and Latin America. Cricket’s main advantages over these sports are its potential global reach and impact, especially in emerging markets such as India and China, and its growing popularity among women and youth.
Cricket’s fate will ultimately depend on how well it can convince the IOC and the L.A. organizers of its value and viability as an Olympic sport. Cricket will need to demonstrate that it can deliver a high-quality and exciting product that can attract and retain viewers and sponsors, as well as a positive and lasting legacy that can benefit the Olympic movement and society at large.
