LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Cricket, breakdancing, and flag football are still waiting for confirmation on whether they will be included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The decision-making process has faced an unexpected delay, with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) citing “ongoing discussions” with L.A. officials as the reason for the rift between the two sides. This delay comes just two days before a crucial meeting that would determine which of the nine candidate sports will be granted Olympic status.
The IOC-appointed panel responsible for studying sports program changes has not yet had the opportunity to convene its meeting and present its final recommendation. The organization’s executive board was slated to announce its recommendations on Friday regarding the inclusion of new sports to the core events. The nine candidate sports up for consideration are cricket, baseball-softball, flag football, lacrosse, breaking, karate, kickboxing, squash, and motorsports.
Additionally, the IOC board has been expected to provide clarity on the future Olympic participation of boxing, modern pentathlon, and weightlifting after their appearances in the 2024 Paris Games. While the final decision still rests with the IOC members, who will convene from October 15-17 in Mumbai, India, it is typically a formality to approve the board’s position.
India has long been seen as an ideal venue for introducing cricket, particularly in its shortened T20 format, back to the Olympics. Cricket made its only appearance in the 1900 Paris Games, and an India-Pakistan cricket match at the Olympics could attract the largest global television audience for any sporting event.
Breakdancing, officially known as breaking, is expected to be included in the 2028 Olympics after its highly anticipated debut in Paris next year.
The IOC has not provided a revised timetable for the decision, stating that “the sports program for the Olympic Games LA28 will be discussed during a later IOC board meeting, to take place at a date to be decided.”
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