Cricket is set to make a historic return to the Olympic Games in the 2028 Los Angeles edition, ending a 128-year absence since its last appearance in the 1900 Paris Olympics, where Great Britain clinched the gold medal by defeating France.
The decision to include cricket was made during the 141st International Olympic Committee (IOC) session in Mumbai last October. The tournament will feature the fast-paced T20 format, which has gained immense popularity worldwide and is expected to attract a massive global audience.
In preparation for this landmark event, ICC President Jay Shah recently met Cindy Hook, CEO of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee (OCOG), to discuss cricket’s integration into the Olympic movement. “Very exciting time ahead for cricket’s involvement in the Olympics movement – a meeting with the @Brisbane_2032 organizing committee in Brisbane, Australia today,” Shah posted on X, highlighting the enthusiasm surrounding cricket’s Olympic revival.
The sport’s inclusion in the Olympics follows its successful return to the Asian Games in Hangzhou last year, where cricket was featured for the first time since 2014. The T20 format was used in the multi-nation tournament for both men’s and women’s teams. India dominated the event, winning gold medals in both categories.
In the men’s competition, Afghanistan and Bangladesh secured silver and bronze medals, respectively, while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh earned the same in the women’s event.