Cricket, flag football, squash, lacrosse, baseball and softball will all be part of the Summer Olympics within five years, although there is no guarantee they will remain in the Games from then on. Of the five sports, only squash and flag football have never made it to the Olympics before.
In addition, the International Olympic Committee announced that weightlifting and modern pentathlon (excluding equestrian) will be included in the sports competitions that will be held. However, boxing remains in limbo following the International Olympic Committee’s decision to no longer recognize AIBA as the sport’s governing body. For now, the sweet science won’t be part of the 2028 Olympics.
“These five new sports have been chosen to be consistent with American sports culture and will showcase iconic American sports to the world while bringing international sports to the United States,” said International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach. in a statement. “Their addition will allow the Olympic Movement to engage with new communities of athletes and fans in the United States and around the world.”
Squash has been trying to get into the Olympics for some time. It is a popular sport in other parts of the world and continues to grow in the United States. Flag football is a more unusual option, but league officials have been lobbying for its inclusion since 2020 with the support of the NFL.
And, for many Olympic fans, its inclusion is far less of a headache than breakdancing, which will become a recognized Olympic sport in Paris in 2024.
Baseball has not been a part of the Olympics since the International Olympic Committee voted to withdraw baseball from the London Olympics in 2012. It’s unclear whether Major League Baseball players will play for Team USA, given that the game dates (July 14-30) fall in the heart of the MLB season.
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