In a significant decision related to the Olympics, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved the inclusion of five new sports in the Olympic program. This decision was made during the IOC session held in Mumbai on Monday, October 16, and it is in preparation for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. The new sports that will be added to the Olympic program are baseball/softball, cricket (T20), flag football, lacrosse (six-a-side), and squash. These sports will be part of the LA28 Olympic Games.
IOC member Nita Ambani expressed her happiness at the decision to include cricket in the Olympic program for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. She mentioned that cricket is one of the most popular sports globally and is widely watched. For the 1.4 billion people in India, cricket is not just a sport; it is a religion. She is delighted that this historic proposal was passed during the 141st IOC Session taking place in Mumbai.
Including cricket in the Olympics will create greater participation in the Olympic movement from new geographical areas. Additionally, it will boost the international popularity of cricket. However, it’s worth noting that there were some members of the IOC who opposed this decision, and one member did not participate in the voting process.
IOC President Thomas Bach explained in a media briefing that all five proposed sports are in line with the mainstream culture of Los Angeles 2028. The IOC Executive Board accepted these proposals as a package, considering that these proposals and sports align with the general culture of sports in the United States. These sports will not only bring international sports to the United States but will also showcase prestigious American sports to the world.
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