Decision on inclusion of cricket, other sports in Los Angeles 2028 Olympics expected in few weeks

|

Flag football and cricket have been shortlisted along with baseball-softball, lacrosse, breakdancing, karate, kickboxing, squash and motorsport

Pakistan's Mohammad Nawaz attempts to run out India's Dinesh Karthik during their match in T20 World Cup 2022 - ICC

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will sit in Mumbai in October to ratify the decision on including new sports including cricket in Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. 

Flag football, a non-contact format of American football played by teams of five, is trying along with eight other sports including cricket to get onto the 2028 Games programme as one of the events that can be added by the local organisers.

"We expect a decision (from LA2028 organisers) in the coming weeks," International Federation of American Football (IFAF) President Pierre Trochet said in a call with reporters. "We are focusing on our work but expect a decision in the upcoming weeks."

The sport faces stiff competition, with cricket seen as one of the favourites given the sport's wide global reach, its financial strength and broadcast appeal.

Flag football and cricket have been shortlisted along with baseball-softball, lacrosse, breakdancing, karate, kickboxing, squash and motorsport.

Flag football is banking on its support in the United States, growing popularity abroad as well as potential participation of NFL players at the Games to make it to Los Angeles.

"When we first questioned ...to see if the players will be released by the NFL to play it was clear that it would interest many players," Brett Gosper, head of NFL Europe, said.

"That's an exciting prospect, to see some NFL superstars at the Olympics."

While their inclusion is only for one edition of the Games, these sports are banking on the boost provided by their Olympic participation to spur growth and remain an attractive Olympic product going into the next four-year cycle.

The LA 2028 organisers can decide on several sports to be included.

Next year's Paris 2024 Olympics organisers have included four additional sports for their Games with breakdancing, sport climbing, skateboarding and surfing - the last three of which also featured as additional events at the Tokyo Games.

Comments

placeholder="Email...">
مضمون کا ماخذ:گرم سے زیادہ گرم
سائٹ کا نقشہ