ICC bidding to have cricket included in Olympics

On Aug 10, 2021

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is bidding to have cricket included in the Olympic Games.

The ICC said its ‘primary target’ is being added to the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

It would end a 128-year wait for the sport to be included, following its only previous appearance in the 1900 Games in Paris, France.

The sport will feature as a Women’s event in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.

ICC Chair Greg Barclay said the ‘sport is united behind this bid’ and that the Olympics are part of cricket’s ‘long-term future’.

“We have more than a billion fans globally and almost 90 percent of them want to see cricket at the Olympics,” said Barclay.

“Clearly cricket has a strong and passionate fan-base, particularly in South Asia where 92 percent of our fans come from whilst there are also 30 million cricket fans in the USA.”

“The opportunity for those fans to see their heroes’ competing for an Olympic Medal is tantalising.” (BBC)