IOC quashes ICC’s hopes for 2028 Olympics; fresh pitch to be made for 2032
The last and only time cricket was played in the Olympics was back in 1900. Only two teams participated; France and Great Britain, with the latter claiming the gold medals after winning by 158 runs.

Olympics
The International Olympics Committee (IOC) has rejected the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) bid to make cricket a part of the Olympics 2028, which is slated to take place in Los Angles, in the United States. Although there’s no official confirmation, either from the two governing bodies, several reports claim the that IOC communicated the same to the cricket’s apex body.
ICC failed to fulfill all the criteria required for a sport to be a part of the sport’s greatest event. Factors that are required for any sport to feature in the Olympics are the likes of youth and global appeal, the interest of the host country, gender equality, upholding integrity, long-term sustainability, and so on.
Last year, cricket was part of the Commonwealth Games in the UK, in the form of the Women’s T20I. Australia defeated India to clinch the gold medals. Following cricket’s success at the CWG, ICC hoped cricket can mark its return to the Olympics as well. Both men’s and women’s teams’ inclusion is a must if the sport is to be included in the Olympics.
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Jay Shah is expected to lead ICC project for cricket’s inclusion at Olympics 2032

The last and only time cricket was played in the Olympics was back in 1900. Only two teams participated; France and Great Britain, with the latter claiming the gold medals after winning by 158 runs.
In February last year, IOC announced that a total of 28 games will be included in the 2028 Olympics, including the new games. In August last year, ICC shortlisted cricket along with other eight games for reviewing. These games are Baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse, break dancing, karate, kickboxing, squash, and motorsports.
Now that cricket won’t be played in the 2028 Olympics, a fresh pitch will be prepared for cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics 2032. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Jay Shah, who also represents the Indian cricket board at the ICC, is expected to lead this project.
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