It was 1900 when cricket was last played by men at the Olympic Games, but after 128 years, its set to return to the Los Angeles 2028 program.
Twenty20 cricket, for both men and women, will be put forward for approval to the International Olympic Committee next week, alongside flag football and squash – which will make their Olympic debuts.
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Baseball/softball and lacrosse have also been recommended; two sports left out of the Paris 2024 Olympic program.
“We are delighted that LA28 have recommended cricket for inclusion in the Olympics,” ICC chairman Greg Barclay said.
“Whilst this is not the final decision, it is a very significant landmark towards seeing cricket at the Olympics for the first time in more than a century.”
LA28 chairperson Casey Wasserman said the sports proposed for inclusion are “relevant, innovative and community-based, played in backyards, schoolyards, community centres, stadiums and parks across the US and the globe”.
If the bid is successful for 2028, cricket is looking more likely to feature down under at Brisbane 2032.
The sport was only played at Paris 1900, one of 18 to be competed in at Games.
Cricket was played by women at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, with Australia taking home gold.
Host nations can propose sports they’d like played when they stage the event. At Tokyo 2020, surfing, sports climbing, karate baseball/softball and skateboarding was added to the program.
Paris 2024 has chosen not to have motorsports, kickboxing, karate, and breakdancing.