Cricket's inclusion in Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games approved by IOC Session in Mumbai

Cricket was officially included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics Monday after the proposal for the same from the Organising Committee of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 was accepted by the 141st International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session. The IOC Session is the main decision-making body in the Olympic movement and the 141st Session is taking place in Mumbai at the state-of-the-art Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. Apart from cricket, baseball-softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes) and squash will also be part of LA28.

The proposal from the Organising Committee of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 (@LA28) to include five new sports in the programme has been accepted by the IOC Session.

Baseball/softball, cricket (T20), flag football, lacrosse (sixes) and squash will be in the programme at…

— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) October 16, 2023

The proposal from the Organising Committee of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 (@LA28) to include five new sports in the programme has been accepted by the IOC Session. Baseball/softball, cricket (T20), flag football, lacrosse (sixes) and squash will be in the programme at LA28," IOC said on X, formerly Twitter. The proposal of Los Angeles Games organisers to include the six new sports including cricket in the programme was initially approved by IOC Executive Board on Saturday. It has now been officially approved at the Session.

IOC president Thomas Bach on Monday welcomed the new sports to the LA28 programme after the recommendation of the Executive Board was put to vote through a raise of hands. The proposal to include new sports faced opposition from only two of the 99 IOC members during the voting. “I welcome all of you to the Olympic program,” said Bach. Cricket was last played at the Olympics in 1900 which is also its only appearance so far. Only two teams took part in the competition back then with England beating France.

IOC member from India, Nita Ambani also welcomed the development and said that both cricket’s popularity will benefit from its inclusion in the Olympics. “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.

Nita Ambani, International Olympic Committee member, welcomes inclusion of cricket in 2028 LA Olympics

"The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics will create deeper engagement for the Olympic Movement in newer geographies" pic.twitter.com/YTWgrI6KHX

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) October 16, 2023

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“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.”