T20 cricket officially set to be a part of the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028

In a massive piece of news for cricket lovers, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted on Monday to include cricket in the T20 format as part of the Los Angeles 2028 games. As per the historic announcement, both men’s and women’s cricket will be a part of the global event.

The announcement is special for various reasons - firstly it came during the ongoing ICC men’s ODI World Cup and secondly, it was made at the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai that also marked the return of the prestigious congregation to India after a hiatus of 40 years.

A week after the initial reports of cricket being included came out, the decision to include it officially has come in. IOC president, Thomas Bach, said after the two-day executive meeting, “We see growing popularity of cricket, particularly the T20 format. The World Cup (50 overs) is a huge success already.”

Cricket returns to the Olympics, with the first edition being held way back in 1900, and the LA committee has proposed a six-team event where the United States will also be participating as the host nation.

Bach further said, “We will work with the ICC as we do in all sports. We are not working with different national franchises here, we are working with respective international federations and looking forward to receiving their ideas (as to) how to use this inclusion in the Olympic programme to make cricket even more popular across the globe.”

He concluded by stating, “It is an opportunity to engage with the fan and athlete community, to which we have had so far very little or no access. We see how one can enrich the other.”