ICC chair Jay Shah backs Olympic Day push for sport-driven well-being
Synopsis
For the first time in 128 years, cricket is heading back to the Olympics — and ICC chairman Jay Shah used International Olympic Day to signal the sport is ready for its biggest global stage yet. With 2 billion fans and a T20 format designed for mass appeal, LA28 could redefine cricket's place in the world sporting order.
Key Takeaways
ICC chairman Jay Shah backed the IOC 's sport-for-well-being initiative on International Olympic Day, 23 June .
Shah posted on X that cricket, with over 2 billion fans , can 'unite, inspire and empower at an unparalleled scale.' Cricket returns to the Olympics after 128 years at Los Angeles 2028 , in the T20 format .
The sport's last — and only — Olympic appearance was at the Paris Games in 1900 .
IOC president Kristy Coventry urged global participation under the 'You Can Do This' theme of the 'Let's Move' campaign.
International Olympic Day dates to 1948 , commemorating the IOC's founding on 23 June 1894 in Paris .
International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah on 23 June voiced strong support for the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) global drive to harness sport as a vehicle for health, well-being, and community engagement, marking International Olympic Day with a message that also spotlighted cricket's landmark return to the Olympics after more than a century.
Jay Shah's Message on Olympic Day
Shah posted on X that the ICC stands fully behind the IOC's mission to use sport as a force for social good. 'With more than 2 billion fans around the world, cricket has the ability to unite, inspire and empower at an unparalleled scale. Wishing everyone a happy Olympic Day and look forward to celebrating with all of you the Olympic spirit that motivates us to move, play, and thrive,' he said.
His remarks align with this year's Olympic Day theme — 'You Can Do This' — which is part of the IOC's broader 'Let's Move' campaign aimed at encouraging young people to convert self-doubt into self-belief through physical activity and sport.
Cricket's Historic Return to the Olympics
Shah's statement carries added weight given that cricket is set to return to the Olympic Games for the first time in 128 years at Los Angeles 2028 (LA28). The sport last appeared at the Olympics at the Paris Games in 1900 — its sole Olympic outing to date. At LA28, cricket will be played in the T20 format, maximising its appeal to a global television audience.
Notably, cricket's inclusion at LA28 is widely seen as a strategic move by both the IOC and the ICC to expand the sport's footprint in the United States, a market both bodies are keen to develop ahead of the Games.
IOC President's Call to Action
In a video message for Olympic Day, IOC president Kristy Coventry urged people across the world to 'take the first step' and get active. Her address reinforced the 'You Can Do This' messaging, positioning sport as an accessible and transformative tool for youth, particularly those who struggle with confidence and motivation.
The occasion is being observed across the entire Olympic Movement, with National Olympic Committees, International Federations, and Organising Committees creating community participation opportunities worldwide.
The History Behind Olympic Day
International Olympic Day is observed every year on 23 June to commemorate the founding of the IOC at the Sorbonne in Paris on 23 June 1894, when Pierre de Coubertin rallied support for the revival of the Ancient Olympic Games.
The idea of a dedicated World Olympic Day was first proposed by Dr Gruss, a Czech IOC member, at the 41st IOC Session in Stockholm, Sweden in 1947. It was formally adopted at the 42nd IOC Session in St Moritz, Switzerland in January 1948, with National Olympic Committees tasked with organising annual celebrations.
As cricket prepares for its Olympic debut in the T20 format at LA28, Shah's endorsement signals the ICC's intent to fully leverage the Olympic platform — and its 2 billion-strong fanbase — to grow the sport's global reach.
Point of View
The ICC is positioning itself as a values-aligned Olympic partner — a posture that matters enormously as the sport bids for sustained Olympic inclusion beyond 2028. The reference to 2 billion fans is a pointed signal to the IOC and American broadcasters: cricket brings an audience no other returning sport can match. What remains to be seen is whether that fanbase translates into US viewership numbers that justify cricket's Olympic permanence — or whether LA28 is a one-cycle experiment.
NationPress
23 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did ICC chairman Jay Shah say on International Olympic Day?
Jay Shah posted on X backing the IOC's initiative to use sport for health, well-being, and community engagement. He highlighted cricket's ability to 'unite, inspire and empower' its more than 2 billion fans worldwide, and wished everyone a happy Olympic Day.
When is cricket returning to the Olympics?
Cricket will return to the Olympics at the Los Angeles 2028 Games (LA28), its first appearance in 128 years. The sport last featured at the Paris Olympics in 1900 and will be played in the T20 format at LA28.
What is International Olympic Day and why is it celebrated on June 23?
International Olympic Day is observed on 23 June each year to mark the founding of the International Olympic Committee at the Sorbonne in Paris on 23 June 1894. The celebration was formally established in 1948, following a proposal at the 1947 IOC Session in Stockholm.
What is the theme of Olympic Day 2025?
The 2025 Olympic Day theme is 'You Can Do This', part of the IOC's broader 'Let's Move' campaign. IOC president Kristy Coventry used the occasion to encourage people — especially young people — to get active and use sport to build self-belief.
Why is cricket's return to the Olympics significant?
Cricket's inclusion at LA28 ends a 128-year absence from the Olympic programme and marks a strategic push to grow the sport in the United States. The T20 format has been chosen to maximise global broadcast appeal and audience reach.
