Cricket Makes Historic return to Olympics after Over a Century

In a landmark decision, cricket has officially been included in the Olympic Games, marking a monumental moment for the sport and its global fanbase. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recently confirmed that cricket will be a part of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, bringing the sport back to the Games after a gap of 128 years.

Cricket was last featured in the 1900 Paris Olympics, with only two teams — Great Britain and France — participating. Since then, despite its massive popularity in countries like India, England, Australia, and Pakistan, cricket remained absent from the world’s biggest sporting event due to scheduling conflicts and limited global reach.

However, with the growing influence of T20 cricket and the success of franchise-based leagues like the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Big Bash League (BBL), the format’s shorter duration and entertainment value have made it more appealing to international audiences.

The T20 format will be played at the Olympics, with both men’s and women’s tournaments included. This inclusion is expected to significantly boost cricket’s profile in non-traditional markets such as the USA, Germany, and Japan, while giving established cricketing nations a chance to compete for Olympic glory.

Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar welcomed the news, calling it a “massive step forward for globalizing the sport.” The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also expressed its full support, marking a shift from its earlier stance of keeping cricket out of multi-sport events.

With this historic move, cricket fans worldwide can now look forward to witnessing their favorite teams battle it out not just for world titles, but also for the coveted Olympic gold.