'Delighted historic resolution was passed': Nita Ambani celebrates inclusion of cricket in 2028 LA Olympics

Cricket’s inclusion to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games was made official at the 141st International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Mumbai on Monday.

“The proposal from the Organising Committee of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 (@LA28) to include five new sports in the programme has been accepted by the IOC Session. Baseball/softball, cricket (T20), flag football, lacrosse (sixes) and squash will be in the programme at LA28,” said the IOC in a statement on microblogging platform X, formerly called Twitter.

#WATCH | On the inclusion of Cricket in the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games, IOC Member Nita Ambani says, ” I am delighted that IOC members have voted to include Cricket as an Olympic Sport in the LA Summer Olympics 2028! Cricket is one of the most loved sports globally,… pic.twitter.com/nl8iMDH9Yi

— ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2023

This will be just the second time that cricket will be part of the Olympics.

The only other time cricket was part of the Olympic Games was during the 1900 Games in Paris. Only two teams, Great Britain and France participated in that event, and the team representing Great Britain won gold, beating France by 158 runs.

Nita Ambani, a member of the IOC, said that she was “delighted” by cricket’s inclusion for the LA Olympics.

Nita Ambani’s full statement

“As an IOC member, a proud Indian, and an ardent cricket fan, I am delighted that IOC members have voted to include Cricket as an Olympic Sport in the LA Summer Olympics 2028!

Cricket is one of the most loved sports globally, and the second most watched.

For 1.4 billion Indians, cricket is not just a sport, it’s a religion!

So I’m delighted that this historic resolution was passed at the 141st IOC Session taking place right here in our country in Mumbai.

The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics will create deeper engagement for the Olympic Movement in newer geographies.

And at the same time, provides a boost to cricket’s growing international popularity.

I thank and congratulate the IOC and the LA Organizing Committee for their support to this landmark decision.

It’s truly a day of great joy and jubilation!”

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