Cricket fans across the globe are waiting to see their favourite cricketers and their nation’s team play at the Olympics. Their wish may come true at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 as the International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally begun the process for cricket’s inclusion. ICC Chairman Greg Barclay also gave out a statement on this issue.
Team sports like football, volleyball, and hockey have been a part of the Olympics for a long time. But cricket last found itself among the events at an Olympic way back in 1900. Only two teams took part including Great Britain and hosts France. Since then, cricket has never been part of their programme.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has started the process for cricket’s inclusion at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 with the constitution of a Working Group which will prepare a bid on its behalf.
The ICC Olympic Working Group will be headed by England and Wales Cricket Board Chair Ian Watmore. He will be joined by ICC Independent Director Indra Nooyi, Chair of Zimbabwe Cricket Tavengwa Mukuhlani, ICC Associate Member Director and Vice President of the Asian Cricket Council Mahinda Vallipuram, and Chair of USA Cricket Parag Marathe.
We see the Olympics as a part of cricket’s long-term future: ICC Chairman Greg Barclay
ICC Chairman Greg Barclay congratulated the IOC for successfully organizing the Tokyo Olympics 2020 amidst the pandemic. Addressing the Olympics further, Barclay said that he would love to see cricket at the games. He argues that cricket has over a billion fans around the globe who want to see their stars in action at the Olympics.
“Our sport is united behind this bid, and we see the Olympics as a part of cricket’s long-term future. We have more than a billion fans globally and almost 90 percent of them want to see cricket at the Olympics,” he said.
“Clearly cricket has a strong and passionate fanbase, particularly in South Asia where 92% of our fans come from. There are also 30 million cricket fans in the USA. The opportunity for those fans to see their heroes competing for an Olympic medal is tantalizing,” he added.
But Barclays admits that the path won’t be easy. Cricket will be competing with other events to secure inclusion. But he is confident that moving forward, cricket and the Olympics will have a great partnership.
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