Brisbane Olympics: Cricket flagged for inclusion in 2028 LA Games

Cricket’s Olympic comeback is on track after a push from the International Cricket Council and the sport’s inclusion will have a big impact on the 2032 Games, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK.

Cricket is set to be part of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics after being proposed for inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Cricket’s Olympic comeback after it made a one-off appearance in the 1900 Games in Paris comes after a push from the International Cricket Council trying to crack the elusive North American market.

Games officials were sympathetic because they have always been regretful that cricket obsessed India had never taken much interest in the Olympics.

Other sports on the list of recommendations for LA revealed overnight are flag football – a less physical version of American football – plus lacrosse, squash, softball and baseball.

Cricket was deemed a success at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games where it was played in the women’s T20 format and won by Australia.

Steve Waugh’s Australian’s previously won a silver medal at the Malaysian Commonwealth Games in 1998 in an experience many players rated as a memorable journey away from cricket’s well worn touring tracks.

The T20 format is seen as the perfect vehicle for the Olympics and debate will centre of what type of competition format suits the Games.

There is a feeling – because of the squeeze on numbers in the athletes village – that a qualifying tournament should be held beforehand and the top six or eight nations proceed to the Games.

News of cricket’s likely inclusion in the LA Games will be welcomed by Queensland officials as they believe it will help them develop Allan Border Field as well as the Gabba which will host the opening and closing ceremonies.

Allan Border Field can expect to receive a development boost if cricket is played at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. Picture: AAP Image for Cricket Australia

LUCRATIVE CHOICE

The International Cricket Council welcomed the decision to propose cricket. ICC Chairman Greg Barclay said: “We are delighted that LA28 have recommended cricket for inclusion in the Olympics.

“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.” The ICC’s proposal is for men’s and women’s Twenty20 competitions – the shortest form of the international game at 20 overs per side.

Cricket has made moves towards a return to the Olympics for more than a decade, with the encouragement of the Olympic movement.

The late IOC president Jacques Rogge said in 2011: “We would welcome an application. It is an important, popular sport and very powerful on television.” The current IOC president, Thomas Bach, has also backed the inclusion of cricket, which featured at last year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Adding cricket to the Olympic program is an obvious move, financially speaking.

It would tap into the lucrative South Asian market, attracting fans in countries such as India and Pakistan.

NFL stars could participate at the 2028 LA Olympics. Picture: Getty Images

NFL ‘DREAM TEAM’ ON THE CARDS

The National Football League, which governs American football, backed the flag football bid.

The NFL’s version of flag football involves five players per side, on a smaller pitch and contact is not allowed – in place of tackling, players need to pull a flag off the person carrying the ball.

American football has never featured in the Olympic Games as a medal event although was included on a ‘demonstration’ basis in 1904 and 1932, when the Olympics were held in St. Louis and Los Angeles respectively.

NFL officials have backed the inclusion of players from their league taking part in the Olympics, raising the prospect of a gridiron “dream team”.

“The league would be supportive of NFL players participating in an LA 2028 games,” Peter O’Reilly, NFL Executive Vice President, Club Business, Major Events and International said earlier this year.

“The timing works in July, prior to the start of training camp so that opportunity could exist.” The sport of squash, which has mounted a long campaign to be included in the Olympics and lost out to breakdancing for the 2024 Paris Games, was also celebrating being recommended for 2028.

Its governing body World Squash said in a statement: “The decision is a significant and exciting milestone in squash’s history as the sport nears inclusion in the Olympic Games for the first time.” Baseball is seeking a return after being included in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where the host nation’s men won the gold medal.

Originally published as Brisbane Olympics: Cricket flagged for inclusion in 2028 LA Games