According to Greg Barclay, Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), adding cricket to the Los Angeles 2028 (LA28) Olympics would be beneficial for all parties involved. In an article for insidethegames, Barclay noted that the 20-overs-per-side format, also known as T20, has become increasingly popular since its professional introduction in 2003, creating an opportunity to benefit cricket, the Olympic Movement, and LA28.
Barclay stated that cricket’s inclusion in LA28 would help showcase the sport to new audiences, attract new players and fans, and provide new commercial opportunities. He also believes that cricket is uniquely positioned to assist the Olympics in enhancing its universality, benefiting the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Movement. Additionally, with the US already being one of cricket’s biggest markets, he argues that LA28 would be a defining moment for the Olympics and sport in the United States.
“With the incredible breakthrough of T20, the unanimous support of our members, and our growing footprint in the United States – we see mutual benefits of including cricket at the Games, for our sport, for the Olympic Movement, and for LA28,” Barclay said.
“For cricket, the benefits of inclusion into LA28 are clear.
ALSO READ: How a surprise call from coach Sanjay Bangar got Kedar Jadhav into RCB side
“Being part of the greatest event in the world will enable us to showcase cricket to new audiences, to attract new players and fans of all ages, and open new commercial opportunities, all while giving our star players the ultimate platform to shine.
“For the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Movement, we believe that cricket is uniquely placed to help the Olympics further enhance its universality.
“But perhaps the biggest ‘winners’, we believe, can be LA28 itself. With 30 million fans, the United States is already one of cricket’s biggest markets, and this is expected to grow rapidly over the coming decade.”
ALSO READ: What happened to IPL workload management promises?
Barclay acknowledges that Australia is one of cricket’s top nations in both the men’s and women’s games, making Brisbane 2032 a good fit for cricket, but suggests that breaking into new markets is a priority. Finally, Barclay states that the inclusion of cricket in LA28 would be a win-win-win scenario, which does not happen often in sport’s highly competitive environment.
“Cricket at LA28 will be a defining moment for the Olympics and sport in the United States, helping to achieve the legacy that was such a compelling feature of LA’s candidature,” Barclay added.
“Win-win-win’s do not come around often, especially in sport’s hyper-competitive environment.
“Now, we believe, is the time to seize the moment, and turn our collective ambitions into realities.