- Momentous news today as ICC confirms its intention to bid for cricket’s inclusion for the first time in the modern Olympics
- USA Cricket honored to be working closely with the ICC to secure cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with USA Cricket Chair Paraag Marathe part of ICC Working Group announced today
USA Cricket today hailed the news that the ICC has confirmed its intent to bid for cricket’s historic inclusion into the Olympic Games from Los Angeles 2028 onward.
USA Cricket’s Foundational Plan identifies a long-term vision for cricket to be established as a leading sport in the United States, and cricket’s potential entry into the Olympics, especially for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, would act as an enormous catalyst for the growth and development of the sport across America.
USA Women’s National Team celebrates a victory
Alongside the other efforts that are being made to positively transform the domestic cricketing landscape in this country, cricket’s potential inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games is an incredible opportunity. Through the sport’s extensive global and domestic reach, USA Cricket believes that cricket can complement the fantastic program of existing Olympic sports and offer a relevant and exciting addition to the Los Angeles Games.
With the inclusion of USA Cricket Chair, Paraag Marathe, on the ICC’s Working Group, USA Cricket and the entire US cricket community looks forward to supporting the ICC’s efforts to make cricketing history on American soil in seven years’ time.
The International Cricket Council has today confirmed its intention to bid for cricket’s inclusion in the Olympic Games. The ICC has convened a Working Group to lead the bid on behalf of the sport which will be focused on cricket becoming part of the Olympic family for LA 2028, Brisbane 2032 and beyond.
ICC Chair Greg Barclay said: “Firstly on behalf of everyone at the ICC, I would like to congratulate the IOC, Tokyo 2020 and the people of Japan for staging such an incredible Games in such difficult circumstances. It truly was fantastic to watch and captured the imagination of the world and we would love for cricket to be a part of future Games.
“Our sport is united behind this bid, and we see the Olympics as a 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.
“Clearly cricket has a strong and passionate fanbase, particularly in South Asia where 92% 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.
“We believe cricket would be a great addition to the Olympic Games, but we know it won’t be easy to secure our inclusion as there are so many other great sports out there wanting to do the same. But we feel now is the time to put our best foot forward and show what a great partnership cricket and the Olympics could be.”
Team USA Athletes at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
England and Wales Cricket Board Chair Ian Watmore will Chair the ICC Olympic Working Group and he will be joined by the ICC Independent Director Indra Nooyi, Chair of Zimbabwe Cricket Tavengwa Mukuhlani, ICC Associate Member Director and Vice President of the Asian Cricket Council Mahinda Vallipuram and Chair of USA Cricket Paraag Marathe who believes the time is ripe for an Olympic bid:
“USA Cricket is thrilled to be able to support cricket’s bid for inclusion in the Olympics, the timing of which aligns perfectly with our continuing plans to develop the sport in the USA. With so many passionate cricket fans and players already in the USA, and a huge global audience and following for the sport around the world, we believe that cricket’s inclusion will add great value to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and help us to achieve our own vision for establishing cricket as a mainstream sport in this country.”
Team USA Men’s National Team celebrate a win in Oman
