IOC member Nita Ambani said that the inclusion of cricket in the sports program for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics Games was a welcome addition that had the potential to attract a lot of new interest and opportunities for the Olympic movement across newer geographies in the world. Cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games was made official at the 141st International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Mumbai on Monday. This will be just the second time that cricket will be part of the Olympics. The only other time cricket was part of the Olympic Games was during the 1900 Games in Paris. Only two teams, Great Britain and France participated in that event, and the team representing Great Britain won gold, beating France by 158 runs. “As an IOC member, a proud Indian, and an ardent cricket fan, I am delighted that IOC members have voted to include Cricket as an Olympic Sport in the LA Summer Olympics 2028," Ambani said. The IOC session is being held in India for only the 2nd time in history, returning to the country after 40 years. The historic decision to include cricket in the Olympics came at one of the epicentres of the sport - India. “I’m delighted that this historic resolution was passed at the one hundred and forty-first IOC Session taking place right here in our country in Mumbai,” Ambani added.
Nita Ambani, International Olympic Committee member, welcomes inclusion of cricket in 2028 LA Olympics
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) October 16, 2023
"The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics will create deeper engagement for the Olympic Movement in newer geographies" pic.twitter.com/YTWgrI6KHX
Ambani hoped that the sport’s appeal around the globe would increase significantly with this announcement. “The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics will create deeper engagement for the Olympic Movement in newer geographies. And at the same time, provides a boost to cricket’s growing international popularity.” Ambani, who is the first Indian woman to become an IOC member, heralded the day as one of great joy for India. “I thank and congratulate the IOC and the LA Organizing Committee for their support of this landmark decision. It’s truly a day of great joy and jubilation!” she concluded. Disclaimer: Firstpost is a part of the Network18 group. Network18 is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary.