International Cricket Council (ICC) has kept their fingers for the inclusion of cricket in the Los Angeles Olympics 2028. The council hopes that cricket will get a representation in the LA Olympics next month. Though LA28 has finalised 28 sports, it is open to the inclusion of other sports as well.
The International Olympic Council has announced a total of 28 sports for the LA Olympics and won’t add further disciplines but still, they have to fill the seats of 10,500 athletes. For this reason, LA28 can add additional sports. As per reports, the sports that LA Olympics will include are going to get an invitation but ICC hasn’t received it yet.
“One of our strategic priorities is to get into the LA Olympics. The decision is made by the IOC in consultation with the LOC of LA28. All we can do is put our best foot forward and hope that cricket is taken into LA.- the ICC chairman Greg Barclay told Cricbuzz.
We believe that there’s a unique opportunity in the partnership of cricket, the Olympic Movement and LA2028. We want our global fanbase of one billion-plus to be part of the world’s greatest sporting event. We want our best players and most dynamic format to enjoy the unique global platform of the Games.”– Barclay told Wall Street Journal.
What is stopping from cricket entering the LA Olympics 2028?
- The US lacks infrastructure for the cricket tournament.
- At this moment, baseball stadiums are converted into makeshift cricket stadiums for cricket matches.
- As per knowledge, US’s infrastructure will be ready by 2024 since ICC has granted them the joint hosting rights to the USA along with West Indies for LA 2028.
- India and West Indies will travel to the USA to play a part in the series in 2022.
“In February 2022, the IOC announced the 28 Olympic sports in LA28’s initial sports program including aquatics, archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, canoe, cycling, equestrian, fencing, golf, gymnastics, handball, hockey, judo, rowing, rugby, sailing, shooting, skateboarding, soccer, sport climbing, surfing, taekwondo, tennis, table tennis, triathlon, volleyball and wrestling”.
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