Cricket and Baseball Among Five New Sports for 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles

 

Cricket and Baseball Among Five New Sports for 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially announced the addition of five sports, including cricket, to the program of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Baseball/softball, cricket (T20), flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash will now be featured in the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 (LA28), as confirmed during the IOC's 141st session in Mumbai, India.

This decision marks the return of baseball/softball, cricket, and lacrosse to the Olympic stage, while flag football and squash will make their debut at the 2028 Games. Baseball/softball was last played at the Olympics in Tokyo in 2020, while cricket and lacrosse had their last Olympic appearances in the 1900s.

In a statement, the IOC emphasized that the selection of these sports aligns with American sports culture and aims to showcase iconic American sports to the world, while also introducing international sports to the United States. IOC President Thomas Bach stated, "These sports will make the Olympic Games LA28 unique."

The IOC Session also approved the inclusion of modern pentathlon and weightlifting, confirming their status as part of the initial sports program for LA28. However, the participation of boxing in the LA28 program is currently on hold.

The 2028 Summer Olympics will mark the return of the Games to the United States for the first time since Atlanta 1996. Los Angeles, having previously hosted the Olympics in 1932 and 1984, is set to create a unique and memorable experience for athletes and fans alike.