Cricket is set to make a historic return to the Olympics after a 128-year hiatus. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) gave its final approval for the sport’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on October 13, 2023, in Lausanne, Switzerland.
This is a significant development for both the sport and the Olympic movement. Cricket is one of the most popular sports in the world, with over 2.5 billion fans globally. Its inclusion in the Olympics will help to globalize the sport even further and introduce it to new audiences.
The specific format of cricket that will be played at the 2028 Olympics has not yet been finalized. However, it is likely that a T20 tournament will be held for both men and women. T20 is the shortest format of cricket, and it is the most popular format among fans.
The return of cricket to the Olympics is expected to have a number of positive impacts on the sport. Here are a few examples:
Increased investment: The Olympic status could lead to increased investment in cricket from governments and private entities. This could help to improve infrastructure, training facilities, and development programs, particularly in countries where cricket is not a major sport.
Boost for women’s cricket: The IOC emphasizes gender equality, and therefore, women’s cricket is likely to be included in the Olympics. This could provide a significant boost to women’s cricket, increasing its visibility and potentially leading to greater investment and development of the women’s game.
Enhanced global popularity: Cricket is already immensely popular in many countries, but its inclusion in the Olympics could help to globalize the sport even further. It could introduce cricket to new audiences and potentially increase its popularity worldwide.
How the return of cricket to the Olympics was finalized
The process for cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics was a meticulous one. The International Cricket Council (ICC), the governing body for cricket, first applied for the sport’s inclusion in 2019. The IOC then assessed the proposal based on various factors, including global popularity of the sport, gender equality, and youth appeal. The IOC also considered the support of member countries. In the case of cricket, the ICC conducted a survey among its members in 2019, and an overwhelming majority supported the move to include cricket in the Olympics.
About the International Cricket Council (ICC)
The ICC was founded in 1909 as the Imperial Cricket Conference by representatives from Australia, England, and South Africa. It was renamed as the International Cricket Conference in 1965, and took up its current name in 1987. The ICC has 104 members, including 12 Full Members and 92 Associate Members.
The ICC is responsible for organizing and overseeing all major international cricket tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the ICC Champions Trophy, and the ICC T20 World Cup. The ICC also sets the rules of cricket and is responsible for developing the sport around the world.
The current chairperson of the ICC is Greg Barclay. He was elected to the position in November 2020 and took office in January 2021. Barclay is a New Zealand commercial lawyer and experienced company director. He has held board positions with various New Zealand and Australian companies, including Sky Network Television, Mainfreight, and Fletcher Building. He is also a former director of New Zealand Cricket.
Barclay is a passionate advocate for cricket and is committed to developing the sport around the world. He has said that his priorities as ICC chairperson include increasing the global reach of cricket, promoting gender equality in the sport, and ensuring that cricket is well-represented in the Olympic movement.
Conclusion
The return of cricket to the Olympics is a positive development for both the sport and the Olympic movement. It is an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of sport and to bring people from all over the world together.
