Cricket

Cricket's Olympic Return Faces Venue Challenges, May Move Outside Los AngelesCricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has hit a snag, with organizers struggling to find a suitable venue within the city limits. LA28 Chairman Casey Wasserman announced that if a viable location in Los Angeles cannot be secured, the sport may be staged outside the city.Wasserman emphasized the need for a large footprint to accommodate cricket's requirements. He stated that organizers are exploring all options to find the best possible venue that will maximize the sport's success.Recent reports suggest that New York is a potential candidate to host cricket at Nassau County Stadium on Long Island. The venue successfully hosted matches during the 2022 T20 Cricket World Cup, impressing Olympic officials.Staging cricket in New York would also enhance its commercial appeal, as daytime matches would coincide with prime time in major cricket markets like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.LA28 has already decided to relocate softball and canoe slalom to Oklahoma, demonstrating their willingness to move events outside of California.The International Olympic Committee's coordination commission is currently visiting Los Angeles to assess the city's preparations for the 2028 Games. The commission will provide feedback and recommendations to help organizers finalize venue plans.Cricket's inclusion in the Olympics marks a significant milestone for the sport, which last appeared at the Games in 1900. Its return is expected to generate excitement and attract a global audience.

Cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has garnered support from legendary Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid. During a panel discussion, Dravid expressed his enthusiasm for the sport's Olympic debut, stating that players are already discussing the opportunity to compete for a gold medal.Dravid believes that the Olympics provide a unique platform for athletes to showcase their skills and experience the camaraderie of the Games Village. He anticipates that teams will prioritize preparation and competition for the cricket tournament, recognizing its significance."People are going to want to win that gold medal, stand on the podium, and be a part of the Games Village, a great sporting event, and interact with so many athletes," Dravid said. "As you get closer, I have no doubt that teams will be preparing and checking out facilities. They will take this seriously, and players will fight tooth and nail to be out there."ICC CEO Geoff Allardice echoed Dravid's sentiments, predicting that cricket will be a major attraction at the LA Olympics. He emphasized the global appeal of the sport and the excitement it will generate among fans."It's quite surreal to be here in Paris, seeing the energy around sport and how it's getting together. Cricket is starting to dawn on the global sporting community," Allardice said. "I think cricket will be one of the star attractions in Los Angeles...when you see global stars of big sports around the world competing in one city at a time."Dravid expressed his hope that India would emerge victorious in both the men's and women's cricket competitions at the LA Games. He also joked about his desire to be involved in the event in some capacity, even if it meant securing a media job.The men's and women's cricket tournaments will run concurrently at the LA Olympics, offering fans the opportunity to witness the world's best players compete for Olympic glory.