Cricket, squash, baseball/softball, lacrosse and soccer will be included in the Olympic program for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
The proposal was approved at the IOC session in Mumbai on Monday, where only two delegates voted against the new events.
Cricket returns to the Games for the first time in 128 years in the form of men’s and women’s six-team T20 tournaments, lacrosse for the first time as a medal sport since 1908, while baseball has appeared in the Olympics several times.
Flag football, a non-contact format of American football, and squash were included for the first time.
IOC President Thomas Bach described cricket’s inclusion in the LA2028 program as a “win-win situation” when he spoke about it on Friday.
“The Olympics will give cricket a global arena and the opportunity to grow beyond traditional cricket countries and regions,” Bach said.
“For the Olympic Movement, it is an opportunity to engage with fan and athlete communities that until now we have had very little or no access to.”
Bach insisted he did not need to twist the arms of Los Angeles regulators to include cricket on his list of potential new sports, despite it being an emerging sport in the US.
“It didn’t take anything to convince them,” the German said.
“The idea came during a dinner I had with Casey Wasserman (LA 2028 president) at the World Track and Field Championships in Eugene last year.
“Casey had already seen the great potential (of cricket) and highlighted it himself. So there wasn’t much, if any, work to do.”
Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley has welcomed the sport’s inclusion in the 2028 program and expects it to remain in place until the 2032 Brisbane Games.
There is no doubt that the Olympics will further expand the reach of cricket globally, inspiring a whole new generation to love and play the game.
Nick Hockley (Australian cricketer)
“This is a game-changer for our sport, which is already among the fastest growing in the world,” Hockley said.
“The Olympics will undoubtedly increase the global reach of cricket, inspiring a whole new generation to love and play the game.
“The opportunity to win an Olympic medal also provides an exciting new opportunity for the women’s and men’s championship teams.
“We look forward to working with the Australian Olympic Committee in preparation for the Los Angeles Games and hope this is the beginning of a long-term relationship between cricket and the Olympics, including Brisbane 2032,” he added.
Phil Collier, head coach of Great Britain Lacrosse, described the sport’s inclusion as “fantastic news”, adding: “The global spread of lacrosse in recent years has been accompanied by a rise in standards of play and an acceleration of the game. At the highest international level, Sixes Lacrosse showcases The best. Great athleticism combined with amazing and innovative stick skills.
“What’s really exciting is knowing that there are now young players in schools, clubs and universities across the UK who can start chasing their Olympic dreams, and who are motivated to work hard to be the best lacrosse players they can be. And to represent great Britain at the Olympic Games.
The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) has welcomed the inclusion of flag football in Los Angeles.
Diana Flores, Chair of the FIFA Athletes Commission, said: “Competing at the Olympic Games is the ultimate dream of every athlete, and millions of footballers around the world will go to sleep dreaming of Los Angeles 2028 tonight.
“I would like to thank everyone who made this possible – including all my fellow athletes and ambassadors who played a central role in moving the project forward.
“Together, we are determined to use this incredible stage to showcase the best of football – its speed, athleticism and creativity, as well as its ability to change lives and include new communities in the sport.
“As a community of athletes, we are proud to lead the way, but our goal must be to seize this opportunity to inspire, uplift and empower a new generation around the world.”