Following approval by the International Olympic Committee’s executive board, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will feature an exciting roster of five new sports. 5 Games added in Olympic 2028 of these new sports – baseball/softball, cricket, and lacrosse – have already appeared on the Olympic stage, while flag football and squash will make their Olympic debuts in Los Angeles.
According to IOC President Thomas Bach, are aligned with American sports culture and will serve as a platform to display classic American athletic traditions to the world while bringing international sports to the United States. This is the first time the global athletic event has returned to the United States since the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City.
These 5 games added in the Olympic 2028,
Lacrosse, which originated in indigenous North American tribes before attaining global prominence in the nineteenth century, had appearances at the 1904 and 1908 Olympics in St. Louis.
Cricket, which has a fan following of almost 2.5 billion people, was included in the Paris Olympics in 1900. It now has a strong social media presence and a rising audience in the United States, which will also host the Cricket T20 World Cup in 2024.
Football, a popular American sport, will debut flag football, a safer variant popular among children, on the Olympic stage, with around 20 million elite competitors.
Squash, although never appearing in the Olympics, has a strong presence in other multi-sport championships, with an 87% rise in participation in the United States from 2015 to 2019, according to the IOC.
The IOC performed a comprehensive review, taking into account numerous criteria such as cost and complexity for the host, athlete health and safety, global appeal, gender equality, integrity, fairness, and environmental sustainability. Notably, sports such as boxing, modern pentathlon, and weightlifting were assessed but did not qualify for the 2028 Olympics.
The inclusion of lacrosse, cricket, and flag football in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles marks a tremendous advancement in the world of sports and the Olympic Games. Additional information about each of these sports and their introduction to the 2028 Olympics is detailed below:
1. Lacrosse
Lacrosse has profound North American roots, having been devised and played by indigenous peoples. It later gained popularity abroad in the nineteenth century.
Lacrosse has made only intermittent appearances in the Olympics. It was featured in the St. Louis Olympics in 1904 and the London Olympics in 1908.
Modern Importance: Lacrosse is still a popular sport, especially in North America. It is played at many different levels, ranging from youth leagues to professional leagues.
Impact: The inclusion of lacrosse in the 2028 Olympics provides an opportunity to exhibit this historic sport on a global stage and promote it to a bigger worldwide audience.
2. Cricket
Cricket is one of the most popular sports in the world, with over 2.5 billion supporters, making it one of the most-watched sports in the world.
It was included in the Paris Olympics in 1900. However, it has been gone from the Olympic program for over a century.
Cricket has a strong social media presence and is growing in popularity in the United States.
The United States is set to host the Cricket T20 World Cup in 2024, further enhancing its reputation in the cricketing world.
The inclusion of cricket in the 2028 Olympics presents an opportunity to tap into the sport’s large worldwide fan base and potentially encourage growth in the United States.
3. Flag football
American Origins: Flag football is a variation of American football in which each participant wears a flag or a belt. It is often regarded as a safer and more accessible type of sport.
Flag football has never been part of the Olympic program previously, thus it will make its debut in the 2028 Games.
It has around 20 million elite-level participants, making it a widely played and popular sport, particularly at the amateur level.
Flag football’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympics accords with the goal of making the Olympics more accessible and appealing to a broader demographic.
The inclusion of these sports illustrates the Olympic Games’ ever-changing nature, as organizers strive to broaden the program and attract new audiences while celebrating traditional and contemporary sports. The 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles promises to be an exciting platform for these sports to flourish on a global scale and provide individuals from all backgrounds with the opportunity to compete for Olympic gold.
4. Baseball/Softball
- History: Baseball and softball have a rich history in the Olympics. Baseball was previously part of the Olympic program, with its last appearance in 2008. Softball was included until 2008
- Return: The inclusion of baseball and softball in the 2028 Olympics represents their return to the Olympic stage after a 20-year absence.
- Both sports enjoy a global following, with strong fan bases in countries such as the United States, Japan, and several Latin American nations.
5. Squash
- Olympic Aspirations: Squash has long sought inclusion in the Olympic Games, and its addition in 2028 is a significant achievement for the sport’s global community.
- Increasing Popularity: Squash has experienced a notable increase in participation, particularly in the United States, where it has grown by 87% from 2015 to 2019, according to the IOC.
Experience the thrill of Olympic history in the making as we added these games, including lacrosse, cricket, flag football, and more. Join us in celebrating this exciting evolution of the Olympics as we take a closer look at these remarkable 5 Games added to the Olympics 2028.
