Flag football and cricket are among five sports nearing inclusion for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

Flag football and cricket have moved one step closer to being included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, as recommended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board. These two sports, along with baseball-softball, lacrosse, and squash, were formally requested by the organizers of the LA Games.

The final decision to include these sports in the 2028 program is expected to be made at a meeting of approximately 100 IOC members, who typically endorse the board’s recommendations.

Cricket, in particular, holds significant promise for the IOC, with expectations of generating over $100 million in broadcast revenue from India, a cricket-loving nation. IOC President Thomas Bach emphasized the opportunity to engage with a fan and athlete community that was previously inaccessible to the Olympic movement.

In Los Angeles, cricket will feature six teams in both the men’s and women’s tournaments, playing in the shortened T20 format. Notably, this selection includes the host U.S. team, but it might mean that some established cricket-playing nations, including India, could miss out on Olympic participation.

Flag football received praise from Bach for its global popularity, especially among girls and women. He also highlighted the sport’s potential to address some of the injury challenges associated with American football.

Lacrosse, according to Bach, holds cultural significance as “the sport of the First Nations of the U.S.” Each of these team sports will feature six-nation competitions for both men and women.

The IOC executive board also confirmed the retention of weightlifting and modern pentathlon in the Olympic program, overcoming concerns related to doping and sporting reasons, respectively. Modern pentathlon retained its place by replacing horse riding with obstacle racing as one of the five disciplines.

Boxing is expected to remain in the program, but there are ongoing issues related to replacing the banished International Boxing Association, as acknowledged by the IOC president.

The addition of new sports and the retention of others will exceed the original quota limit of 10,500 athletes in the Los Angeles Olympics. A new limit is set to be established by early 2025, as announced by the IOC.

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More about 2028 Olympics Sports Recommendation

• International Olympic Committee (IOC)
• 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
• Cricket in the Olympics
• Flag Football
• Lacrosse
• Boxing in the Olympics
• Modern Pentathlon
• Weightlifting
• Official Paris Olympics Coverage