Cricket is among the most popular spots in Bharat.
Taking note of its popularity among the masses around the world, the
International Olympic Committee (IOC) in its session in Mumbai approved
inclusion of T20 cricket in the 2028 Los Angeles games.
In a press conference, IOC gave its formal approval
for including T20 cricket as new sports in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
IOC President Thomas Bach had earlier said bids to
include baseball/softball, cricket (T20), flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and
squash at the Olympics in 2028 had been submitted.
Other than new addition of cricket, diverse sports
like baseball or softball, cricket, and lacrosse are set to make a comeback at
the LA Olympic Games, while flag football and squash will make their Olympic
debut.
Cricket, however, appeared only once at the Paris
Games in 1900. LA 2028 decided to have a six-team Twenty20 event for both men
and women.
Lacrosse, created by the Indigenous Peoples of North
America, is included in the LA28 with the sixes format, a speedy and compact
version. This would be its third appearance at the Olympic Games, after St
Louis 1904 and London 1908.
Flag football is a non-contact version of American
football for teams of five. And, indoor racket sport squash which is also
making its debut along with flag football is already included in eight other
multi-sport events.
IOC President Thomas Bach, who chaired the EB meeting,
said, “The choice of these five new sports is in line with the American sports
culture and will showcase iconic American sports to the world, while bringing
international sports to United States. These sports will make the Olympic Games
LA28 unique.”
“Their inclusion will allow the Olympic Movement to
engage with new athlete and fan communities in the US and globally,” he added.
Bach mentioned about the contributions of Nita Ambani,
an IOC member and the chairperson of Reliance Foundation, in shaping India’s
sports scene.
He said Mrs Ambani had presented the concept of
including cricket in the Olympic Games to IOC members.
PM Modi inaugurates IOC Session
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 141st
Session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Mumbai on October 14,
and announced India’s commitment to host the 2036 Olympics.
“Indians are very excited about hosting the Olympics
Games. India will leave no stone unturned in organising the 2036 Olympics,”
said PM Modi during his address to the IOC Session delegation.
“This is a dream of 140 crore Indians. We want to
fulfil this dream with your support. We are willing to host the 2029 Youth
Olympics. I am sure India will get constant support from IOC,” PM Modi added.
In his speech during the opening ceremony, IOC
President Thomas Bach described India as an exceptionally inspirational venue
for hosting the IOC session. He said India is a nation that blends a rich
history and a vibrant present with a robust belief in the future.
During her opening address at the session, Nita Ambani
said, “It is an absolute honour for us to host this historic IOC Session in
India after 40 years, and in Mumbai for the first time ever! Aamchi Mumbai ─ our
Mumbai ─ welcomes all of you.”
Ambani emphasizing that the Session marked a
significant convergence between India and the global community, said, “In this
meeting of the IOC, I see the confluence of two wonderful forces. One is the
Olympic Movement, which unites humanity and transcends all national, racial,
religious, and linguistic barriers. The other is India, the world’s largest
democracy as the host of this meeting.”
India is hosting
the IOC session for the second time in approximately four decades. The
previous instance was the IOC’s 86th Session, which took place in New Delhi in
1983.
About LA28:
Los Angeles will host its third Olympic Games in 2028,
after having previously hosted in 1984 and 1932. The LA28 Olympic Games Opening
Ceremony is set for July 14, 2028, with the Games running until July 30, 2028.
The LA28 Games will feature more than 3,000 hours of live sport across 800
events in 33 sports categories. 15,000 athletes are expected to compete in the
Games.
NE Watch Desk
