Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins wants to participate in the Los Angeles Olympics, set to be hosted in 2028. LA is set to bring back cricket as a sport for the first time since 1900, and Cummins is excited to become a part of it.
Speaking to Fox Sports, Cummins said that the Australian players were excited to be a part of the Olympics when the action unfolded in Paris, earlier in July and August.
“Watching the Olympics, it got us all excited. You want to be part of it right there in the middle. I’d love to be on that side (at LA28). I think I’ll be 35 or something, so hopefully still there or thereabouts,” Cummins said.
“Honestly right now, it feels a long way away. Maybe once we get closer and start building into it, everyone gets a bit more excited,” the fast bowler further added.
T20I is the only format where Cummins does not captain Australia. The fast bowler has won a hat-trick of ICC trophies with the Australian team, winning the T20 World Cup in 2021 and then ODI World Cup and World Test Championship in 2023.
CRICKET’S INCLUSION IN LA OLYMPICS
Cricket is set to make a historic comeback to the Olympic Games after a 128-year absence, with its inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This significant development marks a major milestone for the sport, which has been steadily gaining popularity globally. The decision to include cricket in the Olympics was made following a comprehensive two-year process, during which the International Cricket Council (ICC) collaborated closely with the Los Angeles 2028 Organising Committee (LA28).
The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics is expected to have a profound impact on the sport’s global reach and appeal. Cricket enjoys immense popularity in the Asian sub-continent, and its inclusion in the Olympics is anticipated to tap into this lucrative market, boosting India’s broadcasting rights for the IOC by over $100 million. The sport’s return to the Olympics is also seen as a significant opportunity to expand its audience and attract new fans, particularly in the United States, where cricket is gaining traction through the success of Major League Cricket.
The 2028 Olympics will feature both men’s and women’s T20 cricket competitions, which are expected to be highly competitive and entertaining. The T20 format, known for its fast-paced and action-packed nature, is believed to be the ideal format to appeal to new cricket consumers and showcase the sport’s excitement to a broader global audience. The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics also holds significant implications for the ICC’s Associate members, who stand to receive increased funding and potential infrastructure support from their national Olympic bodies.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that cricket will be part of the Olympic program, along with other new sports such as flag football, lacrosse, and squash. The IOC’s decision to include cricket in the Olympics aligns with its efforts to attract new audiences and financial support, recognising cricket’s global reach and marketability.
Cricket enthusiasts in the United States have reason to celebrate, as the sport’s inclusion in the Olympics marks a significant step forward for cricket in the country. The USA Cricket Board has expressed its excitement and gratitude for the efforts of the ICC and the US Olympic Committee in making this dream a reality. The success of Major League Cricket and the upcoming co-hosting of the men’s T20 World Cup in 2024 have provided a much-needed catalyst for the growth of the game in the USA, building off the back of grassroots work being done by USA Cricket and the cricket community.
