Cricket at the Olympics: ICC aims to include cricket at the Olympics, Los Angeles 2028 priority

On Tuesday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed its intention to promote the inclusion of cricket in the Olympics in the future and to begin preparations for a bid for the sport, with the priority of adding it to the Los Angeles 2028 Itinerary.

According to the top body, the ICC has assembled a bid-leading working group.

The ICC said there are thirty million cricket fans in the United States, making LA 2028 an ideal cricket match when returning to the Olympics.

Cricket has so far only appeared once at the Olympics, in 1900 in Paris, when only two teams competed in the event – the UK and host France – meaning the inclusion of the sport in 2028 would mean a 128-year absence.

ICC President Greg Barclay said adding cricket to the Olympics would benefit both the sport and the Games themselves.

“First of all, on behalf of all the ICC, I would like to congratulate

, Tokyo 2020, and for the Japanese to organize amazing games in such difficult conditions. It was really fantastic to watch and capture the world’s imagination, and we would like cricket to be a part of future games, ”Barclay said in an ICC press release.

“Our sport is united behind this offer, and we see the Olympics as part of the long-term future of cricket. We have over a billion fans worldwide and nearly 90 percent of them want to see cricket at the Olympics.

“Cricket clearly has a strong and passionate fan base, especially in South Asia, where 92% of our fans are from, but there are also 30 million cricket fans in the United States. The opportunity for fans to see their heroes compete for the Olympic medal is attractive,” he added.

“We believe cricket would be a great addition to the Olympics, but we know it’s not easy to secure our involvement because there are so many other sports out there that want to do the same. But we think now is the time to do our best and show what is good partnership cricket Olympics, ”Barclay thought.

The sport will be presented next year at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which will be a complete showcase of what sport can bring to the Olympics, and it is also a major occasion alone.

The ICC Olympic Working Group is chaired by Ian Watmore, Chairman of the Cricket Board of England and Wales.

He will be accompanied by ICC Independent Director Indra Nooyi, Zimbabwe Cricket Chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani, ICC Deputy Member and Vice President of the Asian Cricket Council Mahinda Vallipuram and USA Cricket Parag Marathe.

Marathe believes it is time for cricket to return to the long-awaited return to the Olympics.

“USA Cricket is excited to support cricket’s offer to participate in the Olympics, the timing of which is perfectly aligned with the development of a sports plan in the United States,” he said.

“With so many passionate cricket fans and players in the United States, a huge global audience and a follower of the sport around the world, we believe the inclusion of cricket will bring great added value to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics and help us achieve our goals.