Cricket’s Return to the Olympics in 2028: A Positive Step for the Game, Says Ricky Ponting

Dubai, August 13, 2024 – World Cup-winning former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has expressed his excitement and optimism about cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Ponting believes that the sport’s return to the Olympic stage after a 128-year hiatus will be a significant boost for cricket on the global front.

The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will mark only the second time cricket has been part of the Games, with its first and only appearance dating back to 1900 in Paris. During that edition, only two teams—Great Britain and France—competed, with Great Britain clinching the gold medal.

Ponting, who led Australia to World Cup victories in 2003 and 2007, shared his thoughts on the importance of cricket’s return to the Olympics. “It can only be a positive thing for our game,” Ponting said. “The exposure and the global platform that the Olympics provide will undoubtedly help in growing the sport’s popularity, especially in regions where cricket is not as well-known.”

The decision to reintroduce cricket into the Olympics has been met with enthusiasm from the cricketing community, as it presents a unique opportunity to showcase the sport to a wider audience. With the Los Angeles Games just four years away, preparations are likely to begin in earnest, with teams from around the world eyeing the chance to compete for Olympic gold.

As cricket gears up for its return to the grand stage of the Olympics, fans and players alike are eager to see how the sport will fare in the global spotlight, potentially ushering in a new era for cricket worldwide.