LONDON – Days after the conclusion of the Tokyo Games 2020, the International Cricket Council announced a campaign for the inclusion of cricket at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics ending an immense absence of more than a century.
Cricket’s world governing body chairman, Greg Barclay Tuesday announced its effort with the formation of a committee, the ICC Olympic Working Group as it planned to return to the leading international sporting events for the first time since the 1900 Olympics in Paris.
In a press release, Barkley said “Our sport is united behind this bid and we see the Olympics as a part of cricket’s long-term future. We have more than a billion fans globally and almost 90 percent of them want to see cricket at the Olympics”.
ICC can confirm its intention to push for cricket's inclusion in the @Olympics, with the 2028 Games in Los Angeles being the primary target.
More details 👇
— ICC (@ICC) August 10, 2021
Emphasizing the significance of the campaign for the return of the ‘gentleman’s game’, he said “Clearly cricket has a strong and passionate fanbase, particularly in South Asia where almost 92 percent of our fans come from, whilst there are also 30 million cricket fans in the USA. The opportunity for those fans to see their heroes competing for an Olympic medal is tantalizing.”
“We believe cricket would be a great addition to the Olympics, but we know it won’t be easy to secure our inclusion as there are so many other great sports out there wanting to do the same. But we feel now is the time to put our best foot forward and show what a great partnership cricket and the Olympics are” the ICC head concluded.
However, ICC did not disclose which format of the game they would push forward for inclusion while some analysts hinted at the 20-over format.
The Olympic Working Group of the top Cricket body will be chaired by England and Wales Cricket Board Chair Ian Watmore. Who will be joined by ICC Independent Director Indra Nooyi, Chair of Zimbabwe Cricket Tavengwa Mukuhlani, ICC Associate Member Director and Vice President of the Asian Cricket Council Mahinda Vallipuram, and Chair of USA Cricket Parag Marathe. Officials said the inclusion of Cricket at the mega sports event would boost the game in the US.
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia commended the ambition and confirmed to back the bid as they already promised to work closely with the Queensland Olympic Council to ensure cricket is front of mind when the hosts come to propose new sports for the 2032 Games in Brisbane.
Cricket will also feature in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which according to ICC shapes as a perfect showcase for what the sport can bring to the Olympics.
