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BREAKING NEWS: Olympic Committee Approve FIVE New Sports for 2028 Games
5 minutes Cricket, Flag Football, Lacrosse, Squash and Baseball-softball have been given the green light
There has been much speculation about where, when, and what the 2028 Olympic games will entail. Today, it was announced that five new sports have been approved for the games, an announcement that has been very well received by sports fans across the globe.
The five sports to be given the green light include Cricket, Flag Football, Lacrosse, Squash and Baseball-softball. This was made official at an IOC meeting in Mumbai on Monday 18th June, with just two delegates voting against the motion to allow these new events into the Olympic lineup.
Cricket to Make its Olympic Comeback!
The inclusion of Cricket in the Olympics has been long campaigned for, especially in India. The recent spike in popularity of the game was one of the many deciding factors in bringing it back into the Olympic fold. The Olympics are also eager to put women in Indian cricket on the global stage. Cricket has not had a place in the Olympic games since 1990 when Great Britain beat France by 158 runs in a one-off final.
IOC president Thomas Bach commented:
"We are ready to welcome the world's best players of cricket to perform in the United States in 2028, while showcasing iconic American sports to the world.
"We see the growing popularity of cricket, particularly the T20 format. The Olympic Games will give cricket a global stage and the opportunity to grow beyond the traditional cricket countries and region."
"For the Olympic Movement, it's the opportunity to engage with fan and athlete communities to which so far we have very little or even no access."
This was welcome news to the cricket community, with social media platforms and news outlets already making predictions on which nation will reign supreme in Los Angeles.
"In particular I'm delighted that the Games will feature both men's and women's cricket, and have no doubt that featuring in the Olympics will accelerate the continuing and rapid growth of the women's game" he continued.
England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive officer Richard Gould said:
"It's fantastic that cricket will be included in the Olympics in 2028, putting it on one of the world's biggest sporting stages.
"This is a great opportunity to take cricket to new parts of the world, and to allow more people to develop a love for our sport.
England fast bowler Kate Cross told Sky Sports:
"When you become a cricketer, you never think you are going to become an Olympian. I think it will be great for the visibility of the game over in America, it seems to really be growing out there.
"It is giving the game a global audience. People in other countries, wherever they may be, seeing cricket on their televisions. That's where cricket needs to be - accessible and visible."
Squash to Make First Olympic Appearance
Unlike Cricket, Squash has no history with the Olympics, with 2028 being its first foray into the iconic competition.
The World Squash Federation will no doubt be thrilled to have its sport confirmed for 2028, given its multiple failed applications. 2028 will be the sport's Olympic debut.
While we have all heard of Squash, the internet has been filled with questions over what exactly "Flag Football" is. In short, Flag Football is a non-contact version of American football, where teams of five compete. According to the official league, more than 20 million people in 100 different countries play the sport, with its relatively young demographic expected to breathe new life into the Olympic Games.
The approval of Flag Football was no doubt the surprise announcement. However, with its pretty substantial following, its Olympic involvement hopes to attract millions to the sport.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell commented shortly after the sport's involvement was confirmed:
"Congratulations to the International Federation of American Football on this landmark achievement for flag football and the global community that loves and plays our game."
"It's a tremendous honour for any athlete to represent their country at the Olympics. We have no doubt that this decision will inspire millions of young people around the world to play this game in the years ahead.
"The NFL is committed to working together to strengthen flag football's place in the Olympic movement long term."
Lacrosse Sixes
Lacrosse has been involved in Olympic competitions previously, and fans will be delighted to have its return confirmed. The sport has been in five previous Olympic Games, with Lacrosse medals handed out in 1904 and 1908. In 1928, 1932 and 1948.
Lacrosse Sixes, which involves 4x eight-minute quarters, is an offshoot of the established 10-a-side format. This is the format that will be played in Los Angels.
England's Emma Oakley, who plays for Hawks Lacrosse Club in Richmond, west London, said:
"Since the sixes game has been introduced everyone has got fully on board with it.
"It is such an exciting version of the sport, it condenses all of its best elements and it is exceptionally viewable for people who are new to lacrosse.
"As a young girl when I started in the sport I always knew lacrosse had been in the Olympics but I never dreamed it would be back, and it is lovely to have that legacy from so long ago.
"I loved the sport from the moment I started and it is great to think that along with the Lionesses and the Red Roses, who have allowed girls to see women competing on a global stage, lacrosse can become another option."