Cricket is once again an Olympic sport. Flag football will have its first opportunity.
Five sports were eventually added by the International Olympic Committee for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Baseball-softball, lacrosse and squash were also included in the program.
These sports finally made it past the final step in front of all IOC members during the Mumbai, India meeting after they were proposed by Los Angeles officials a week ago and recommended by the IOC board on Friday.
The five sports were voted as a single package. They received only two “no”s from the total of 90 IOC members who were present.
“We want Los Angeles 2028 to have the same springboard effect for these five sports,” Los Angeles organizing committee president Casey Wasserman told IOC members. “In LA we fulfill dreams.”
The decision to elevate cricket to an Olympic sport for the first time since 1900 was made in the ideal destination for the sport as India hosts the sport’s ongoing World Cup.
Adding cricket to the Olympic program is expected to increase the value of broadcast rights for the IOC in India by up to $100 million. The men’s and women’s Olympic tournaments will feature six teams playing in the shortened Twenty20 format.
“The innings have begun and we can’t wait to see where this incredible journey takes us,” said International Cricket Council president Greg Barclay.
Flag football and baseball-softball could provide the spotlight to NFL and MLB players in five years. In 1932, when Los Angeles hosted the tournament for the first time, American football was an exhibition sport.
The inclusion of flag football was celebrated by the NFL and several of its former members, as well as Diana Flores, the captain of the Mexican women’s team champion at last year’s World Games.
“A dream come true, I feel very happy and excited. Thanks to the players who make the sport, it is our moment,” she said.
Lacrosse was recognized as a sport first played by native people on the American continent and has been part of the Olympic program twice, although it has been out since 1908.
Squash will debut after they failed in several attempts to be included in the Olympics.
There was no room for breakdancing, which will not return to the program after it debuts at the Paris 2024 Games.
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