Cricket Returns to the Olympics in 2028!
Newzdaddy Cricket Updates
Cricket fans, get ready for some thrilling news – cricket is back at the Olympics! The official announcement has been made, and cricket is set to be a part of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. It’s been more than a century since we last saw cricket in the Olympics, way back in 1900 when only two teams, one from Great Britain and one from France, played for medals. Despite its immense popularity around the world, cricket has been missing from the Olympic stage until now.
The decision to bring cricket back to the Olympics was finalized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai. This is a significant moment for the sport, especially in a cricket-loving nation like India, where cricket is more than just a sport – it’s a way of life. The news has been met with joy and enthusiasm from fans, celebrated athletes, and even Bollywood superstars, all of whom lauded the IOC’s decision.
Indian javelin ace Neeraj Chopra sees this as a golden opportunity for India, a country known for its cricketing prowess. He believes that the inclusion of cricket in the Olympics will not only enhance the sport’s global appeal but also encourage more countries to take cricket seriously.
For cricketers, this journey to the Olympics is a unique one. They are used to travelling to elite locations and staying in posh hotels, but the Olympic Village will be a different experience altogether. They’ll be sharing space with various Olympians, medalists, and elite international athletes, making it a fantastic and eye-opening experience.
But it’s not just the athletes who are excited. Bollywood stars, who have a deep love for sports, are buzzing with enthusiasm. Top actress Deepika Padukone, the daughter of Indian badminton legend Prakash Padukone, expresses her excitement and shares in the nation’s joy.
The cricketing world, both former and current players, is abuzz with excitement about cricket’s grand return to the Olympic stage. Former Indian women’s team pacer Jhulan Goswami hopes to see both the Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams participating in LA28 and winning medals for their country on the Olympic stage.
Cricket’s inclusion in LA28 follows a trend of the sport making appearances at different multi-sport events. It had a men’s cricket tournament at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, and the women’s game made its Commonwealth Games debut in Birmingham in 2022. The popular T20 format was used for both men’s and women’s cricket tournaments at the Asian Games in 2010, 2014, and 2023.
Harmanpreet Kaur, who led the Indian women’s cricket team to a gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games, is thrilled about the prospect of competing at LA28 and is looking forward to replicating their success on the Olympic stage.
Mithali Raj, former India captain and the leading run-scorer of all time in women’s cricket, is excited about the sport’s return to the Olympics. She believes that it’s a special chance for players to compete for an Olympic gold medal and for fans worldwide to enjoy the fantastic sport of cricket.
The specific format and qualification process for cricket at LA28 will be revealed at a later date, determining how teams will compete and earn their place in this historic event.
Back in 1900, when cricket was the last part of the Olympics, they played a two-day ‘Test’ match format, which is quite different from modern international Tests that span five days and involve 11 players per team instead of 12.
The return of cricket to the Olympics in 2028 promises to be a grand and memorable moment for the sport and its countless fans around the world, adding a new dimension to the thrill of the Olympic Games.
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