Five New Sports to Be Included in Olympic Games Program

The Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has accepted a proposal to include five new sports in the Olympic program. This was announced by IOC President Thomas Bach.

Earlier, the organizing committee of the Olympic Games proposed to include in the 2028 Olympic program a limited-contact version of American football, squash, lacrosse, baseball/softball, and cricket.

“We received proposals for the inclusion of 16 new sports. They were evaluated based on three criteria: whether they require new venues, whether there would be an expansion of quotas, or whether they would replace existing sports. Only one sport was accepted: beach sprint kayaking,” Bach added.

The IOC president emphasized that cricket will be included in the Los Angeles Olympic Games program, considering the growing interest in this sport worldwide, including in the U.S.

Lacrosse, softball/baseball, and cricket have previously been part of the Olympic Games program. Softball/baseball was featured in the Olympics from 1992 to 2008, as well as in the latest Tokyo Games, while cricket appeared in 1900, and lacrosse in 1904 and 1908.