Xtra Time Web Desk: The International Cricket Council has officially launched a bid for cricket to be included at the Lod Angeles Olympics in 2028. After years of speculation that cricket planned to return to the Games for the first time since the 1900 Olympics in Paris, the game’s governing body has announced the establishment of a working group that will lead a bid on the sport’s behalf to be included in the Los Angeles Games in 2028.
The news comes just days after the conclusion of the Tokyo Games, and just weeks after Brisbane was confirmed as the host city for the 2032 event.
“Our sport is united behind this bid, and we see the Olympics as a part of cricket’s long-term future,” ICC chairman Greg Barclay said in a statement.
“We have more than a billion fans globally and almost 90 percent of them want to see cricket at the Olympics.
“Clearly cricket has a strong and passionate fanbase, particularly in South Asia where 92% 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 tantalising.
“We believe cricket would be a great addition to the Olympic Games, 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 could be.”
The ICC’s statement however did not clarify which format of the game they would push forward for inclusion.