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    HomeSportsNew Sports Shortlisted for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games

    New Sports Shortlisted for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games

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    As the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics continue preparations, organizers have proposed adding several new sports to the traditional Olympic roster. Baseball/softball, cricket, flag football, lacrosse and squash are under consideration for their Olympic debuts in LA.

    Adding fresh events provides opportunities to grow audiences and evolve the prestige of the Games. Each sport has a strong case for why it deserves a coveted spot going for gold in 2028.

    Baseball/Softball

    Baseball, hugely popular in the host United States, has an on-again, off-again Olympic history while its cousin softball has waited even longer for a return. Both were discontinued after 2008, depriving top athletes their chance at Olympic glory.

    Reinstatement in 2020 was delayed by COVID-19. Today, Cuba reigns in baseball while Japan and the U.S. dominate softball. Stars from pro leagues like MLB would relish competing for national pride at a marquee international event.

    Baseball possesses strong Olympic heritage, debuting in 1992 and appearing in five Summer Games. Who can forget the U.S. upsetting Cuba in 2000 or South Korea’s extra-inning victory in 2008? Fans vividly recall iconic moments like Derek Jeter and Jennie Finch leading their nations to gold.

    The case for softball’s inclusion is even more compelling. After only three Games from 1996 to 2008, the event was cut, devastating female players. U.S. greats like Lisa Fernandez and Dot Richardson cemented softball as a highlight at each Olympics.

    Stars capable of similar highlight reels today deserve their chance in 2028. Pitching phenoms like Japan’s Yukiko Ueno or sluggers like Canada’s Victoria Hayward can cement softball’s reputation in LA.

    Cricket

    Seeking its first Olympics since 1900, cricket’s inclusion could bring over a billion new fans from strongholds like India, Pakistan and the West Indies. Even casual viewers were drawn in by cricket’s comeback in Commonwealth Games.

    As the second most watched sport globally after soccer, cricket has the star power to captivate Olympic audiences unfamiliar with its intricacies. Players like India’s Virat Kohli or Australia’s Meg Lanning attract devoted followings rivalling top athletes in any sport.

    The fast-paced Twenty20 format is perfect for Olympics, where attention spans are short. Matches unfold swiftly in around 3 hours, full of the excitement, action and huge hits that define cricket at its best. Stars can shine bright on the biggest international stage.

    Another strong argument – the women’s game is rising incredibly in quality and popularity. Gender equity has always been an Olympic ideal. The IOC can powerfully spur cricket along by requiring men’s and women’s events in 2028.

    Cricket’s only previous Olympic entry was in 1900. The time is right for its dramatic return to the world stage.

    Flag Football

    Flag football has surged in popularity across genders and age levels in the U.S., where 1 in 5 kids now play. As a safer amateur option than tackle football, flag puts the focus on athletic skills and strategy over brute force.

    Olympic inclusion will accelerate growth globally in nations where American football is already emerging, like Mexico, Japan and Canada. Stars will inspire more youth footballers away from the impacts of tackling.

    The non-contact form will appeal wider to both women and men. And teams like the dominant U.S. will motivate other countries to up their games and close the competitive gap, increasing parity. Flag also offers lots of chances for spectacular plays to excite crowds at the Games.

    As flag football gains legitimacy through Olympic standing, its profile and participation will soar internationally. Right now, the game lacks high-profile competitive outlets. The Olympics provides the perfect stage to catapult flag football into mainstream consciousness.

    Lacrosse

    Lacrosse has been proposed repeatedly for the Olympics due to its rapid expansion internationally this century. Originally played by Indigenous peoples, lacrosse today enjoys skyrocketing popularity at amateur levels worldwide.

    Olympic adoption will provide focus and incentives to accelerate competitive development globally. Intriguingly, a women’s sport for centuries, female participation in lacrosse is actually higher than men’s today. Gender equity is already strong.

    Canada, the U.S. and the Iroquois Nation pioneered lacrosse but now countries as diverse as England, Japan, Kenya and Colombia field teams. The Olympics will motivate emerging lacrosse nations to close the gap. Events like World Lacrosse bring top nations together but the Olympics provides incomparable prestige.

    With its Indigenous roots, lacrosse in the Olympics also presents opportunities to celebrate and showcase Native culture on the world stage. Modern lacrosse combines ancient traditions with fast-paced athletic action that will captivate viewers.

    After narrowly missing inclusion in 2024, lacrosse seems poised to stake its claim in Los Angeles. The sport checks all the boxes to earn Olympic status.

    Squash

    Few sports can match squash for explosive speed and reflexes, heart-pounding action and intense fitness. Campaigning for decades, squash is overdue for its chance to mesmerize Olympic audiences.

    Today played in 185 countries, squash has spread beyond historic bases like the United Kingdom, Egypt, Australia and India. Olympic inclusion will accelerate competitive development in emerging squash nations hungry for the chance to compete on such an exalted stage.

    Administrators have wisely proposed doubles squash for the Olympics rather than singles. Doubles adds teamwork and even faster rallies, maximizing excitement for spectators. Top pros often play doubles, ensuring no drop-off in skill level.

    From dizzying bursts of speed to improbable gets, squash will undoubtedly be among the most breathtaking sports if added to the Olympics. Narrowly missed in 2020, squash’s exclusion seems like a mistake to be corrected by organizers in Los Angeles.

    As the modern Olympics evolve, fresh sports create new medal events and expand audiences. Baseball/softball, cricket, flag football, lacrosse and squash all have compelling cases for their inclusion based on global appeal, gender equity, showcasing diversity, and most importantly, their sheer entertainment value.

    Few events at any Olympics will be as fast-paced and electrifying for crowds as these sports promise. Each also offers rising young superstars the chance to compete on the top international stage and inspire new generations of Olympians.

    The IOC made tough choices for 2024 in Paris. But Los Angeles provides the ideal opportunity to refresh the Summer Olympics and demonstrate the Games can remain relevant for modern fans without losing the spirit that defines Olympism.

    Any of these sports will enhance the L.A. 2028 program and likely win legions of new enthusiasts. The IOC cannot go wrong including them, but also cannot afford to miss this opportunity to let these deserving competitions finally have their moment.

    The pressure is on organizers to maximize the Los Angeles Olympics’ appeal to youth and modernize its offerings. There is no better way than saying yes to baseball/softball, cricket, flag football, lacrosse and squash when final decisions for 2028 are made.

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