LONDON: Cricket’s lengthy absence from the Olympics could soon be a thing of the past, with Games officials gathering in Mumbai this week to finalize the program for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
While 28 sports are already confirmed on the schedule, cricket emerged as one of the five new sports formally proposed for inclusion by organizers on Monday.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has put forth a proposal for men’s and women’s Twenty20 competitions, the shortest format of the international game. ICC Chairman Greg Barclay expressed delight at LA28’s recommendation for cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics, stating, “While this is not the final decision, it is a very significant landmark towards seeing cricket at the Olympics for the first time in more than a century.”
If cricket secures its spot, it would mark its return to the Olympics since 1900 when a British team defeated a French side in Paris. Over the years, cricket had remained on the sidelines of the Olympic Games, in part because the sport was content to stand apart. However, in recent years, the ICC has expressed a strong desire to be part of this global showcase, a move that could propel the sport to new heights and tap into untapped markets.
Greg Barclay stated in 2021, “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.”
Cricket has garnered support from influential figures in the Olympic movement. Former ICC President Jacques Rogge noted in 2011, “We would welcome an application. It (cricket) is an important, popular sport and very powerful on television.” The current President, Thomas Bach, has also voiced support for cricket’s inclusion, especially after it featured in the last year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
This week, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board is meeting in Mumbai, ahead of a full IOC session from October 15 to October 17, which is expected to approve the decision. The choice of Mumbai as the venue for these meetings is significant, given India’s status as a cricketing powerhouse and host of the men’s 50-over World Cup.
Cricket, with its various formats and unique rules, has piqued curiosity in regions where it is not traditionally played. However, the universal language of financial opportunity is easily understood. Arguments against Olympic cricket, such as its clash with the English season or the perception that the game takes too long, are increasingly outdated.
The global cricket calendar now comprises international matches, domestic leagues, and franchise cricket, with various formats vying for attention. The immensely popular Indian Premier League (IPL), featuring global cricketing superstars, has helped India become the economic epicenter of cricket.
Olympic Games official has used Virat Kohli's picture in the video after cricket was proposed as one the games in Los Angeles 2028.
– Kohli is the Face of World Cricket.pic.twitter.com/R5zvn1NnVb
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 9, 2023
Including cricket in the Olympic program makes financial sense. It would tap into the lucrative South Asian market, drawing fans from cricket-loving nations like India and Pakistan, which have not traditionally excelled in core Olympic sports. Moreover, it could open doors to substantial public and corporate funding that is currently reserved for Olympic sports, benefiting both emerging cricketing nations and financially challenged established cricketing countries like South Africa.”
