Cricket has been confirmed as one of the five new sports added to the official list of sports recognized for the 2028 Olympics. It is something that has been lobbied for by many for a long time, and now it is coming to fruition.
Other sports added to the list for 2028 include flag football, baseball/software, lacrosse, and squash. They have all been approved by the IOC for inclusion in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
What Does the Addition of Cricket in the 2028 Olympics Mean for Australia?
There is an enormous amount of buzz and anticipation about the 2028 Olympics and the inclusion of Cricket as an official sport in Australia. Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley stated the following about this development: “We are thrilled” and continued by saying: “This is a game-changer for our sport that is already among the fastest growing in the world. The Olympic Games will undoubtedly increase the global reach of cricket, inspiring a whole new generation to love and play the game.”
This is a time when those who have passionately competed in the sport before will finally get a moment to show the world all of the hard work that they have put into their talent.
What This Could Mean for the Sport Itself
The sport of Cricket has grown in popularity in recent years. Getting it in front of a global audience could supercharge the popularity of an already rising sport.
Cricket was featured once before on the Olympic stage in 1900. However, it has been absent from this international competition since that time.
The IOC is hoping that the inclusion of Cricket will bring in more fans to watch their events, particularly Asian fans where the sport is the most popular.
How Popular is Cricket Already?
It is interesting that it took such a tough push to get Cricket included on the Olympic stage when you consider the fact that it already boasts of 2.5 billion fans worldwide. In certain parts of the world (such as India), it is by far the most popular sport.
Western audiences are not necessarily as familiar with the sport as other parts of the world. Bringing it onto the Olympic stage might help get more eyeballs from those areas on the sport. Many fans will experience the game for the first time and will start to learn the rules of the game based on watching it during the 2028 Olympics.
What is Australia Doing to Prepare?
The nation of Australia is preparing for the addition of Cricket to the Olympic Games in 2028 by funneling resources into its national team. Already a wildly popular sport in Australia, the country will surely be among the favorites to win a metal in this event. The Australian people will aim high and send forth their best squad to perform during the 2028 Olympics.
