For those of us who nurtured the dream of seeing Babar Azam and Jasprit Bumrah battling each other in a cricket pitch for an Olympic medal, the dream seemed almost dead, but not anymore. Rekindling the hope that the gentleman’s game may make it to the Olympics, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has reportedly asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to make a presentaion on the game later this month.
As per reports, cricket will be competing with eight other disciplines namely break-dancing (World DanceSport Federation), Baseball/softball (WBSC), flag football (IFAF), lacrosse (World Lacrosse), karate (WKF), kickboxing (WAKO), squash (WSF) and motorsport (FIA). Reportedly, the federations of all these games have been invited by the LA28 to make their respective presentations.
According to a report on Cricbuzz, a highly-placed source has confirmed the development to them.
“Nine disciplines are on the shortlist of international federations invited to submit RFI (Request for Information) proposals for the LA28 Olympic sport programme review,” the source was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
Notably, the presentations will have to be made later this month and a final decision is expected ahead of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Mumbai in mid-2023.
“How many of those invited will eventually be included in the Games is not known but LA28 has already announced 28 disciplines — aquatics, archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, canoe, cycling, equestrian, fencing, golf, gymnastics, handball, hockey, judo, rowing, rugby, sailing, shooting, skateboarding, soccer, sport climbing, surfing, taekwondo, tennis, table tennis, triathlon, volleyball and wrestling. As reported by Cricbuzzz on June 6, LA28 is not obliged to include new sports but it is expected to consider those games which will fit its cap of 10,500 athletes at the Olympics,” the report said.
Earlier, when the ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice was asked about the Olympic hopes, he had said: “We have declared the ambition to be involved in the Olympic Games. We are assisting the LA28 organisers and providing them the information for their assessment of different sports in regard to the addition to the Olympic programme.”
“At this stage the decisions are due next year. There is not much to report at this stage other than the fact we are assisting the LA28 organisers,” he had added.
“The idea of having an Annual conference in Birmingham is to celebrate cricket’s involvement with the Commonwealth Games for the first time in 24 years with the women’s T20 event. Judging on the reaction of the players, they are all excited and enjoying the experience of being with the top athletes of other sports,” Allardice had hadded.