Howzat? Cricket pitches for Olympic Games glory in Brisbane
Did you know cricket has been played at the Olympics before — 120 years ago. But, if high-powered cricket officials have their way, it could be back for the 2032 games, hopefully in Brisbane.
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Somewhere in Australia there are schoolchildren unaware they could be on a 12-year journey to the Gabba for the one the most cherished prizes in sport: an Olympic gold medal.
As Brisbane fine tunes its bid to host the 2032 Games, Queensland Olympic Council president Natalie Cook believes it’s time to turbocharge the push to bring cricket back to the Games.
The International Cricket Council, with former English cricket captain Mike Gatting lobbying strongly, has pushed for cricket to be included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics but with India cautious about committing to anything that would threaten their world-dominating Indian Premier League the fight is ongoing.
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Each host nation is allowed to suggest new sports and Tokyo next year will see karate, sport climbing, surfing, and skateboarding make their Olympic debuts, as well as the return of baseball and softball.
“Cricket is becoming more appealing all the time because the shorter T20 game is really suited to the Games – it is so consumer friendly if it does not get in in 2028 we should have a crack at it,’’ Cook said.
“I know it has taken cricket to a lot of different places in the world and the big thing is you could have it in both men’s and women’s competitions and that equality is a major factor in the Olympics today. This is a great opportunity to get cricket on the Olympic map.
“It’s why cricket may have a better chance of getting in than a sport like netball which is a big Commonwealth sport but predominantly female.’’
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In a little known fact, cricket has featured at an Olympics – in 1900 when only one match was played with Great Britain, stocked with players from Somerset, beating France in the gold medal decider.
The push to see its return also enhances the fact of engaging Indian interest in the Games for IOC officials have lamented the disconnect of the nation which has almost one fifth of the world’s population has won just nine gold medals and one in the past three decades.
The IOC is excited by the prospect of having cricket at the Games because the instant it is approved there will be nations spending money on cricket programs which never previously existed.
Cook believes the one-year delay in the Tokyo Games is not a setback to Brisbane’s Games bid because it buys time to polish the product before the 2032 host is chosen, perhaps as early as next year.
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“It is not necessarily a major setback because the time frame to present our bid at the initial Games was unrealistic. We have to be careful about the bid during the COVID era because the world has other priorities but when we start again we will be ready and in better shape this time next year. Fingers crossed all our ducks stay in line.
“This Olympics can be part of Queensland’s economic recovery process. The IOC is very firm about them being cost-neutral to the host nation. It can restore hopes and dreams to Queenslanders and Australia.’’
“Ninety five per cent of athletes saying their inspiration for athletes came from watching Sydney 2000. We need that again. That is the excitement of 2032.
“We need kids watching in Tokyo who can take us to 2032 and the kids in 2032 can take us beyond that. It is not just a 10 year plan. It is a 30 year legacy.’’