LA 2028 Olympics proposes adding flag football, cricket, other sports

Shutterstock [For Illustration]

Organisers of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics want cricket, flag football, lacrosse, squash and baseball-softball added to the event, they said on Monday.

The organisers' recommendations are subject to final approval by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), with a session set for Mumbai later this month. The Los Angeles Times reported that the sports are likely to be approved.

"In building the Olympic sport program, we were willing to challenge the status quo and think differently about what's possible for the Games in Los Angeles," LA28 CEO Kathy Carter said in a statement.

"We've landed on a bold and balanced proposal that will energise the Games with culturally relevant competition and boundless possibility."

Of those five sports, three have never been included in an Olympic programme.

Flag football, squash and lacrosse would make their Olympic debut, if approved.

"We are one huge step closer to a monumental milestone for our sport and international community," said World Lacrosse, the sport's governing body, in a statement.

"We are on a path of ascendancy, and will be a great partner for LA28 and the IOC."

Cricket, which enjoys enormous global appeal, would return after appearing once at the 1900 Games, following the tremendous success for women's cricket at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

"Whilst this is not the final decision, it is a very significant landmark towards seeing cricket at the Olympics for the first time in more than a century," International Cricket Council Chairman Greg Barclay said in a statement. 

Baseball was featured in several previous Games. It was added to the 2020 Tokyo program after being left off in 2012 and 2016, but it will not be a part of the Paris Games.

Softball, the female counterpart to baseball, has appeared at five previous editions of the Summer Games and was also left off the Paris agenda.

An IOC spokesperson said the LA28 proposal for the additional sports was "well received." 

"Following the review by the Olympic Program Commission, a recommendation will be made to the IOC Executive Board (October 12-13 in Mumbai). If accepted, it will then be presented to the IOC Session (October 15-17 in Mumbai) for approval," the spokesperson said.

"We are looking forward to the upcoming presentations."

More from Sports

  • Portugal survive late drama to beat Croatia

    Cristiano Ronaldo scored the first World Cupknockout-stage goal of his career, Goncalo Ramos netted a stoppage-time header and Portugal got a last-second break on an offside call to beat Croatia 2-1 on Thursday and set up a last-16 clash with Spain.

  • Anisimova and Fritz through as Americans sparkle at Wimbledon

    Amanda Anisimova survived an almighty scare against compatriot Sofia Kenin on Thursday to join a wave of American women surging into the third round of Wimbledon, while Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe ensured the Stars and Stripes kept flying high in the men's draw.

  • Spain outclass Austria 3-0 to ease into World Cup last 16

    Spain put their World Cup rivals on notice with a dominant 3-0 win over Austria on Thursday thanks to a Mikel Oyarzabal double and another commanding defensive display to reach the last 16.

  • Swiatek, Zverev power into Wimbledon round three

    Defending champion Iga Swiatek cleared a potentially dangerous early hurdle with ease as she defeated former world number one Karolina Pliskova to reach round three at Wimbledon on Thursday.

  • Man City sign Anderson from Forest in record transfer

    England midfielder Elliot Anderson joined Manchester City from fellow Premier League side Nottingham Forest on Thursday in a deal reported to be the most expensive transfer for a British player.

Recently Played

Latest Blogs