New Sports Added to 2028 LA Olympics Lineup: Cricket, Squash, Lacrosse, and Flag Football

By | Bullscore 11 Oct, 2023

Cricket has successfully secured a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, along with squash, lacrosse, flag football, and baseball/softball. This decision comes as a bit of a surprise, especially regarding squash and lacrosse, as they have been trying to be part of the Olympics for a long time. The official confirmation of these five new sports is expected soon from LA, followed by formal ratification at the 141st IOC session in Mumbai, which starts on Sunday.

Cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics is seen as a smart move financially, given the massive cricket fanbase in India. Currently, the Olympic broadcast rights in India are worth approximately £15.6m ($20m) for Paris 2024, but this figure is expected to increase significantly with cricket in the mix, potentially reaching £150m.

Cricket has only been part of the Olympics once before, in 1900, when England and France played a single match. The T20 format will be used for both men and women, and it is likely to continue in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

Greg Barclay, the Chair of the International Cricket Council (ICC), expressed his delight at the recommendation, calling it a significant step toward bringing cricket back to the Olympics after more than a century.

Flag football, a non-contact variant of American football, also received approval, which is good news for the NFL as it aims to boost global interest in the sport.

Lacrosse, particularly the fast-paced “sixes” version played over four eight-minute quarters, was another sport chosen for inclusion. World Lacrosse expressed its excitement, emphasizing the global appeal of the sport.

However, with the addition of these five new sports, the International Olympic Committee faces the challenge of managing the athlete quota of 10,500 for each Games. Some traditional sports may need to reduce their medal events to accommodate the new additions. For instance, baseball and softball, which were part of the 2020 Tokyo Games but excluded from Paris 2024, might see further adjustments.

Casey Wasserman, Chairperson of the LA28 organizing committee, highlighted the innovation and community-based nature of these proposed sports and their potential to engage a diverse audience and expand the Games’ presence in the digital realm.

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