2028 LA Olympics
- Plan for T20 tournament opens lucrative market in Asia
- The NFL is pushing to add flag football to games
Cricket has won its battle for inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic program, joining squash, lacrosse, flag football and baseball/softball in a record-breaking program.
The L.A. organizing committee’s decision to select squash, which has advocated for decades to host the games, and lacrosse, which last appeared in 1908, is considered a double surprise.
The five new proposed sports – which stem from intense discussions between LA and the IOC’s Olympic Program Commission – are expected to be officially confirmed by LA within hours. Official ratification will then take place at the 141st IOC session in Mumbai, which begins on Sunday.
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The Guardian revealed in July that cricket would “very likely” be held in LA given the IOC’s desire to tap India’s huge market, and first reported the decision on Monday ahead of the official announcement.
Although negotiations between the IOC and LA have not always been easy, it makes financial sense for all sides to include them.
The numbers tell the story. India’s current Olympic Games broadcast rights for Paris 2024 are reportedly worth just 15.6 million pounds ($20 million). However, experts have told the Guardian that this figure could rise to £150 million if cricket is included.
Cricket has been played once before at the Olympics in 1900, when England and France played a single game. The T20 format is used for men and women. It is very likely that it will be retained for the Games in Brisbane, Australia in 2032.
Greg Barclay, chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), cricket’s governing body, said: “We are pleased that LA28 has recommended cricket for inclusion in the Olympics.” Although this is not the final decision, it is a very one important milestone on the path to seeing cricket return to the Olympics for the first time in more than a century.”
Flag football, a non-contact five-on-five sport of American football, has now also been awarded the contract. That will delight the NFL, which is pushing to make it an Olympic event to increase global interest in its game.
Lacrosse, another popular sport among young people in the US, is also trending. The chosen discipline will be the fast-paced, high-scoring “Sixes” competition, played over four eight-minute quarters.
World Lacrosse said it was “thrilled and honored” by the decision. “We are a big step closer to a monumental milestone for our sport and our international community. Played around the world, lacrosse is accessible and equal, has a unique origin and modern, youthful relevance. We are on the rise and will be a great partner for LA28 and the IOC.”
But the addition of five new sports poses a potential problem for the International Olympic Committee: How does it get within its quota of 10,500 athletes for each Games?
Breaking, which was selected for Paris 2024, was not selected for LA. However, other sports considered at risk, including boxing, weightlifting and modern pentathlon, are now considered safe.
This means that if the Games are to maintain the magic number of 10,500, more traditional sports will have to reduce their number of medal events.
Baseball (men) and softball (women) were included in the Tokyo 2020 Games, with host Japan winning both gold medals, but were not selected for Paris 2024.
The British team that won the gold medal in cricket at the Paris Olympics in 1900 was the only time cricket had previously been featured in a game. Photo: Topham Picturepoint/Press Association Images
Casey Wasserman, Chair of the LA28 Organizing Committee, said: “LA28’s proposed sports inspire imagination on the field and promote culture. Relevant, innovative, and community-oriented, they are played in backyards, schoolyards, community centers, stadiums, and parks across the United States and around the world.
“They will bring new athletes to the Games, engage diverse fan bases and expand the Games’ presence in digital spaces, further strengthening LA28’s mission to provide an unparalleled experience.”
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