ICC Chair Engages with IOC President on LA 2028 Cricket Initiatives
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Synopsis
ICC Chair Jay Shah met IOC President Thomas Bach in Lausanne to discuss cricket's inclusion in LA 2028. This meeting marks a significant step towards promoting Olympic values in cricket and enhancing engagement with fans ahead of the Games.
Key Takeaways
- Jay Shah and Thomas Bach discuss cricket's Olympic future.
- Meeting focused on collaboration ahead of LA 2028.
- Cricket's inclusion is seen as transformative for the sport.
- Potential T20 format for cricket in the Olympics.
- Cricket is already part of Commonwealth and Asian Games.
Mumbai, Jan 21 (NationPress) International Cricket Council (ICC) Chair Jay Shah recently engaged with Indian Olympic Council (IOC) President Thomas Bach and several senior officials during the LA 2028 International Federations seminar held at the Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The ICC Chair was accompanied by ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice, and the discussions concentrated on crucial areas of partnership between the ICC and the IOC as they prepare for the LA 2028 Olympic Games.
According to an announcement from the ICC on their Instagram account, “Momentum is building around cricket’s potential inclusion as an @olympics sport at the @la28games and beyond, with @jayshah220988 meeting IOC President Thomas Bach in Lausanne this week.”
This marked the inaugural meeting between Shah and Bach, where they examined possible collaboration avenues to promote the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect within the realm of cricket.
The ICC emphasized that this is a thrilling period for cricket, presenting significant opportunities to connect with both existing and new fans ahead of the LA 2028 Games, which could lead to beneficial future partnerships with the Olympic movement for athletes, fans, and the global sports community.
ICC Chair Jay Shah stated: “We were thrilled to meet with Thomas Bach and IOC officials; it was a fruitful meeting and a significant milestone on our path to LA 2028. The inclusion of cricket in the Olympic Games signifies a transformative moment for our sport and a genuine chance for growth for 2028 and beyond.”
“We addressed a variety of vital topics and continued to foster relationships with our Olympic colleagues. We eagerly anticipate the next three and a half years of collaboration with the IOC and LA 2028,” he added.
Cricket gained entry into the LA28 sports program during the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai alongside Flag Football, Lacrosse, Squash, and Baseball/Softball.
Cricket is already featured in two other multi-sport events, the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. It was played in T20 format for women at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and in the Asian Games held in Hangzhou in 2023 for both men and women.
Being included in the Olympic Games will advance its profile. Although the final structure for cricket's participation in the Los Angeles Olympics is not yet confirmed, it is anticipated to be in T20 format.
