The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved the inclusion of cricket, squash, lacrosse, flag football, and baseball-softball in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, aiming to tap into new global audiences. Each host city can request the inclusion of several sports for their edition of the Games. This move marks a significant development for cricket, with a proposed six-team Twenty20 format for men and women. Cricket, with its massive following in India and growing global audience, has been reintroduced to the Games for the first time in over a century. The inclusion of these sports reflects the IOC’s efforts to engage new audiences and increase the Olympic Games’ reach.
Cricket’s inclusion is expected to particularly resonate with Asian fans, given the sport’s popularity on the continent, and could potentially attract a large and new Olympic audience. The addition of these sports is considered a significant step in broadening the appeal and relevance of the Olympic Games.
The inclusion of cricket, in particular, could mark a turning point for the sport’s visibility and popularity on the global stage. The format proposed for the Olympics is T20 (Twenty20), the same format that has gained immense popularity through tournaments like the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Other sports included, such as flag football, baseball-softball, lacrosse, and squash, offer new and diverse opportunities for athletes and fans alike.
These developments present exciting prospects for the sports’ respective communities and athletes, showcasing the growth and global recognition of their sports.
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