PremiumIs Virat Kohli one of the main reasons for cricket's inclusion in LA Olympics 2028? Here's what we know
After the announcement of cricket's inclusion in the Olympics, the BCCI also expressed their approval and enthusiasm for the news.
Last Updated: 09.00 PM, Oct 16, 2023
After a 128-year hiatus, cricket is set to return to the Olympics. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially declared on Monday that cricket will be a part of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. While Indian fans are eagerly anticipating Team India's participation, they may be surprised to learn that Virat Kohli played a crucial role in bringing cricket back to the Olympic stage.
The IOC recognized that the immense popularity of the former Indian captain played a significant role in the decision to reintroduce the sport to the Olympics.
During the announcement event held in Mumbai, Nicolò Campriani, an Italian Olympic champion shooter and the Director of the LA28 Games, elaborated on the rationale behind including cricket in the Olympics after such a long absence.
He said, "My friend Virat Kohli is the third most followed athlete in the world with 340 million followers on social media. This is more than the combined followers of LeBron James, Tom Brady, and Tiger Woods.
"This is a big win for LA28, the IOC, and the cricket community because it will showcase cricket on a global stage and help it move ahead of traditional cricket-playing nations", Campriani further added.
After the announcement of cricket's inclusion in the Olympics, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also expressed their approval and enthusiasm for the news.
"Including cricket in the Olympics will open up new horizons for the sport, providing unprecedented exposure in untapped global markets. Additionally, we hope this decision will yield significant financial benefits and have a profound impact on the ecosystem of our sport", BCCI Secretary Jay Shah tweeted.
"This will boost grassroots development, enhance competition, promote youth development, and create opportunities for officials, volunteers, and skilled professionals", Shah added.