NEW YORK – Cricket could feature in the Olympics for the first time since 1900 after organisers of the 2028 Los Angeles Games on Monday recommended its inclusion.

In a statement, LA28 listed the Twenty20 version as one of the proposed “new” sports alongside baseball/softball, flag football – a non-contact version of American football – lacrosse and squash.

“In building the Olympic sport programme, we were willing to challenge the status quo and think differently about what’s possible for the Games in Los Angeles,” said LA28 chief executive Kathy Carter.

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

There is no room for breakdancing, which makes its Olympic debut at the 2024 Paris Games. The choice of the sports still needs approval from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Cricket last featured at the 1900 Paris Olympics, when a team from Britain beat a side representing France.

The final choice of which sports are retained for 2028 will be voted on at the IOC Session next Monday in Mumbai, one of the hotbeds of the sport, as India hosts the men’s 50-over Cricket World Cup.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) welcomed the decision to propose cricket. Its chairman Greg Barclay said: “We are delighted LA28 have recommended cricket for inclusion in the Olympics.

“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.”

The ICC’s proposal is for men’s and women’s Twenty20 competitions – the shortest form of the international game at 20 overs per side.

Cricket has made moves towards a return to the Games for more than a decade, with the encouragement of the Olympic movement.

The late IOC president Jacques Rogge said in 2011: “We would welcome an application. It is an important, popular sport and very powerful on television.”

The current IOC president, Thomas Bach, has also backed the inclusion of cricket, which featured at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Adding cricket to the Olympic programme is an obvious move, financially speaking. It would tap into the lucrative south Asian market, attracting fans in countries such as India and Pakistan.

The current Olympic broadcast rights in India are worth £15.6 million (S$26.1 million) for Paris 2024, the Guardian reported. But this could jump to £150 million with the addition of cricket, experts told the British publication.

The Indian Premier League, featuring cricket’s global stars, has helped India become the unquestioned economic driving force of the sport, thanks to legions of fans and lucrative broadcasting deals.

The National Football League (NFL), which governs American football, backed the flag football bid. This version involves five players per side, on a smaller pitch and contact is not allowed – in place of tackling, players need to pull a flag off the person carrying the ball.

American football has never featured in the Olympics as a medal event, although was included on a “demonstration” basis in 1904 and 1932, when the Olympics were held in St Louis and Los Angeles respectively.

NFL officials have backed the inclusion of players from their league taking part in the Olympics, raising the prospect of a grid-iron “dream team”.

“The league would be supportive of NFL players participating in an LA 2028 games,” Peter O’Reilly, NFL executive vice-president, club business, major events and international said earlier in 2023. “The timing works in July, prior to the start of training camp, so that opportunity could exist.”

Tyreek Hill, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection who plays for the Miami Dolphins, encouraged NFL players to seize the opportunity to capture what most expect would be an all-but-guaranteed gold medal for Team USA.

“Calling all @NFL guys let’s bring one home,” Hill posted on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

The sport was included for the first time at the World Games held in Birmingham, Alabama last year, where the US men’s team beat Italy to win gold.

On the women’s side, Mexico dominated the US in the final behind the sensational play of breakout star quarterback Diana Flores, who was named Most Valuable Player.

Squash, which has mounted a long campaign to be included in the Olympics and lost out to breakdancing for the 2024 Paris Games, was also celebrating being recommended for 2028.

Its governing body World Squash said in a statement: “The decision is a significant and exciting milestone in squash’s history, as the sport nears inclusion in the Olympic Games for the first time.”

Just like squash and flag football, lacrosse, another popular sport with young people in the US, would make its Olympic debut, if approved.

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

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

Baseball is seeking a return after being included in the 2020 Tokyo Games, where the hosts’ men won the gold medal. AFP, REUTERS