Cricket can soon make its return to the summer Olympics during 2028 Los Angeles games.
The sport was a part of the summer Olympics back in 1900 in Paris when Britain won the gold medal but was later discontinued. And it is now almost after a century that cricket is back in line to return to the ‘carnival of sports.’
It has been already announced recently that cricket will be a part of the 2022 Commonwealth Games as well. Cricket was included in Asian games too at Guangzhou in 2010 and Incheon in 2014 but was excluded for the 2018 edition at Jakarta-Palembang. Again in 2022 Asian Games at Hangzhou, the sport is set to be a part of the event.
“The WCC is pleased to see that Women’s T20 Cricket is likely to be included at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, having supported this in their last meeting in March. Cricket’s inclusion was approved by the Commonwealth Games Federation executive in June and the result of the vote by the 71 member associations is expected imminently,” said MCC World Cricket Committee in a media release after the conclusion of a two-day meeting at Lord’s.
Read | Women’s T20 games to feature in 2022 Commonwealth Games
“This is a hugely exciting opportunity to grow the women’s game and with matches taking place at Edgbaston – a venue with a strong cricketing fan base – the WCC expects there to be big crowds for the fixtures,” continued MCC.
“Cricket is also due to return to the Asian Games at Hangzhou 2022, likely again to be in T20 format. The WCC is excited to see cricket being introduced to, and gaining popularity in, new destinations. Including cricket at Hangzhou 2022 is the perfect opportunity to showcase the sport to the market in China. There is still much to be done if cricket is to be included in the Olympics, with Los Angeles 2028 the earliest likely opportunity and the ICC continuing to work internally to align cricket to pursue the sport’s Olympic ambitions,” added MCC.
Feature Image Courtesy: AFP/ Paul Ellis
