Cricket is not just a game for the Indian sports fans but more like they worship the game. From kids to youngsters to adults there is hardly anyone who does not watch their favourite game in any format possible. Whether it is the ODIs, test matches, T20 Internationals or the IPL, Indians enjoy it all.
A big news and exciting wait for the cricket fans now will be whether their favourite game cricket will be a part of the Summer Olympic Games to be held in Los Angeles in 2028.
According to the ESPN cric info Cricket’s much-anticipated inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics moved forward in the right direction since International Olympic Committee (IOC) shortlisted cricket for a review along with eight other sporting disciplines. ICC has been formally invited by both the IOC and LA28 to give a presentation on why they consider that cricket fits into the Olympic games 2028. However, the results of this review will come forth only in 2023 when the IOC has a session in Mumbai. The other eight sports in consideration for the event are baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse, break dancing, karate, kick-boxing, squash, and motorsport.
According to a global market survey by the ICC, cricket has more than 1 billion worldwide fans. This huge figure also points towards the fervour of the sport in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh which have more than a quarter of the world’s population.
As per reports, it is said that people believe cricket is the second most popular sport in the world whereas if we go by the data it is still behind soccer and basketball. With such a foothold in major markets and outposts around the world, it is mind-boggling that cricket has not been part of the Olympics since its sole appearance at the 1900 Games in Paris. Let us look a bit at the history of the match that was played way back in the 1900s.
The History of Cricket in 1900 Paris Olympics
Cricket got featured only once in the 1900 Paris Olympic Games, with Great Britain and France as only participants. The games were held in Paris so France was the host themselves. The only match of the tournament played between teams from Great Britain and France and was won by 158 runs by Great Britain.
Teams from Belgium, France, Great Britain, and the Netherlands were scheduled to compete in a knockout tournament. But Belgium and the Netherlands withdrew later and it was only Great Britain and France left in a one-off match. The teams were awarded a gold and silver medal respectively but the IOC has never decided which events were “Olympic” and which were not.
Later a cricket competition was scheduled for the 1904 Summer Olympics, but was cancelled at short notice due to a lack of entries and facilities. Since then, cricket has never been a part of the Olympic Games.
The Projected Impact of Inclusion of Cricket in Olympics
ICC’s research shows that the return of Cricket to Olympics can bring in an overwhelming response from fans. 87% of people who took the survey supported the inclusion of Cricket in a Twenty20 format – a short and sharp game played over three hours – at the future Summer Games.
“Cricket can provide the Olympic movement with an unrivalled opportunity to drive fan engagement across the Asian subcontinent (read, mainly India)” said the ICC.
The BCCI has also agreed to send the men’s and women’s teams to the Olympics LA Games, if cricket makes a re-entry.
Fans have high hopes from the decision in the later part of the year and are seriously hoping for their favourite game to be a part of the Olympics. It is also believed that inclusion of Cricket in Olympics will also mean an increase in terms of financial support for Cricket from the government, more training academies and also attractive betting offers on betting apps that can set a new tempo in the world of online sports betting.
So let’s hope for the best since cricket will face tough competition from Baseball and Softball which are largely famous in the US. Also, since Cricket is presently not part of the Olympic programme, the Los Angeles Local Organising Committee (LOC) will have to propose it as an “additional sport”.
As we can see from the ICC’s survey, fans are excited about cricket on the grandest sports stage already and the pace is set. But let us see how this dream of cricket being played in the Olympics goes along the way till next year.