Cricket is among five sports put forward for inclusion at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA.

This was revealed today in a statement by the International Olympic Committee.

The other four sports are: baseball-softball, flag football, lacrosse and Squash.

The IOC says a final decision will be made in the coming days.

It says the proposal will go to its Olympic Programme Commission, which will then issue a recommendation to the Executive Board.

If accepted, it will then be presented to the IOC Session for approval.

The 141st IOC Session will be held in Mumbai, India from October 15th to 17th 2023.

According to the IOC, of the five proposed sports, three were previously contested at the Olympic Games: baseball-softball (1992–2008 and 2020), cricket (1900), and lacrosse (1904 and 1908).

It adds that unlike its only previous appearance at the Paris 1900 Games, cricket will not be contested as a two-innings-a-side competition.

Instead, the proposal foresees a limited-overs Twenty20 format for the event.

ICC HAILS “SIGNIFICANT LANDMARK”

This development has been welcomed by the International Cricket Council.

In a statement, ICC Chair Greg Barclay is quoted as saying “We are delighted that LA28 have recommended cricket for inclusion in the Olympics. While 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. I’d like to thank LA28 for their support during the new sport evaluation process over last two years and we look forward to the final decision being taken at the IOC Session, in India, during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup next week.”

According to the ICC, the cricket event at the 1900 Paris Olympics saw England defeat France in a one-off match to clinch the Gold medal.