ICC Remains Confident That Cricket Will Be Part Of 2028 Olympic Games

What do cheerleading, flag football, lacrosse, baseball, softball, and cricket have in common? All are vying for a spot in the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

In a few weeks, we may have a clearer sense of cricket’s chances of making the Olympics, albeit the ultimate decision will not be made until next year.

The organisers of LA28 will invite the most serious competitors to give a presentation next month, and the International Cricket Council (ICC), the game’s world regulatory body, faces a difficult task if it is invited to Los Angeles. So far, no invitation has been granted to the ICC or any of the aspiring disciplines for that matter.

We Hope That Cricket Is Taken To Los Angeles: Greg Barclay

“One of our strategic priorities is to get into the LA Olympics. The decision is made by the IOC in consultation with the LOC of LA28. All we can do is put our best foot forward and hope that cricket is taken into LA,” the ICC chairman Greg Barclay told Cricbuzz recently.

“We believe that there’s a unique opportunity in the partnership of cricket, the Olympic Movement and LA2028. We want our global fanbase of one billion-plus to be part of the world’s greatest sporting event. We want our best players and most dynamic format to enjoy the unique global platform of the Games,” Barclay was quoted as saying by Wall Street Journal.

The ICC’s bid has flaws, such as a lack of real infrastructure for the game and a large following for cricket in the United States, but it has put its best foot forward by awarding a World Cup to America (2024 T20 World Cup along with the West Indies). India will play a couple of T20Is against the West Indies in the United States as early as August.

The ICC will make these reasons, as well as one billion fan base arguments, but first, it must make the IOC’s and LA28’s “serious candidates” list, which is expected to be released in the coming weeks.

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