The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed its determination to continue pushing for cricket inclusion in Olympics 2028. It began its preparations for a bid on behalf of the sport. The primary goal is to include it in the Los Angeles 2028 schedule. The ICC has put together a Working Group to lead the bid.
In the United States, there are thirty million cricket enthusiasts. Therefore, making LA 2028 the ideal Games for cricket to return to the Olympic competition. Cricket has only competed in the Olympics once, in Paris in 1900. Then, only two teams competed – Great Britain and the hosts France. It means that its return in 2028 would bring the sport’s 128-year hiatus to an end.
Next year, the sport will be there at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. It will then serve as both a showcase for what the sport can bring to the Olympics and a historic event in its own right.
The inclusion of cricket in the Olympic Games, according to ICC Chair Greg Barclay, would benefit both the sport and the Games themselves.
ICC Chair Greg Barclay’s statement about cricket’s inclusion in Olympics
“Firstly on behalf of everyone at the ICC, I would like to congratulate the IOC, Tokyo 2020; and the people of Japan for staging such an incredible Games in such difficult circumstances. It truly was fantastic to watch and captured the imagination of the world and we would love for cricket to be a part of future Games,” Barclay said.
“Our sport is united behind this bid, and we see the Olympics as a part of cricket’s long-term future. We have more than a billion fans globally and almost 90 percent of them want to see cricket at the Olympics.
Barclay added: “Clearly cricket has a strong and passionate fanbase, particularly in South Asia; where 92% of our fans come from whilst there are also 30 million cricket fans in the USA. The opportunity for those fans to see their heroes competing for an Olympic medal is tantalizing.”
“We believe cricket would be a great addition to the Olympic Games. But we know it won’t be easy to secure our inclusion as there are so many other great sports out there wanting to do the same. But we feel now is the time to put our best foot forward and show what a great partnership cricket and the Olympics are.”