IOC to consider cricket's inclusion in 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games
Lausanne, Aug 4: Cricket's much-anticipated inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics received a shot in the arm as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) shortlisted it for a review along with eight other sporting disciplines.
Cricket has only featured once at the 1900 Paris Olympic Games, with Great Britain and hosts France as only participants.
According to ESPN Cricinfo, The development comes a day after the International Cricket Committee (ICC) was formally invited by both the LA28 and IOC to submit presentation in order to make their case considered.
However, a final decision is expected to be announced ahead of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) session in Mumbai sometime in mid-2023.
The other eight sports in consideration for the showpiece event are baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse, break dancing, karate, kick-boxing, squash, and motorsport.
In February this year, the IOC said that a total of 28 sporting events will be part of the Los Angeles Games and also added that the 'potential new sports' will be considered with a focus on youth.
As per IOC diktat, a sport should clear some set of criteria in order to be considered for inclusion.
This includes priorities to cost and complexity reduction, engaging the best athletes and sports with safety and health first, global appeal, host country interest, gender equality, youth relevance, upholding integrity and fairness to support clean sports, and long-term sustainability.
Cricket is currently being featured in the ongoing Commonwealth Games with the women's T20 format being played among eight nations, albeit only the women's teams are participating in it.
However, for a sporting event to be featured at the Olympic Games, it must be for both men and women.
ICC CEO Geoff Allardice said he was pleased the way the cricket was viewed during the Birmingham Games and the sport has been a "star attraction" at the showpiece event.
"We've seen from the Commonwealth Games how much the world's best players have enjoyed playing in front of big crowds and what I'm sure will be large TV audiences," Allardice told the website.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Deve Gowda hints at NDA tie-up for local body, Panchayat polls
Bengaluru: JD(S) supremo and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda has indicated that the party is open to an understanding with the NDA in the upcoming local body, taluk and zilla panchayat elections.
Speaking to reporters at J.P. Bhavan on Wednesday, he said the JD(S) is a regional party, while the BJP is a national party. “We have to wait and see what decision they take regarding a pre-poll alliance. As far as local body elections are concerned, we will discuss the matter together before taking a decision,” he said.
Responding to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s allegation that the JD(S) does not give positions to anyone outside the family, Deve Gowda said the charge has no substance. “My memory is still strong. I will respond to everything at the appropriate time,” he remarked.
He also said that a JD(S) convention will be held in Vijayapura on February 27 and that he has been invited to participate in the event.
