Cricket will make a triumphant return to the Olympics in 2028 in Los Angeles after enjoying great success at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. This decision was made after the International Olympic Committee formally authorized it on Monday. The inclusion of cricket, which will feature both men's and women's T20s, will be the game's first since 1900.
As LA Local Organising Committee (LALOG) President Niccolo Campriani spoke extensively on cricket's rising fame in the United States. It should come as no surprise that the Major League Cricket's successful initial season and the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will be contested in the USA and the West Indies, acted as the impetus for this momentous choice. Beyond the fact that cricket was starting to gain popularity among the general public in the US market, the Virat Kohli factor also had an impact.
An international sports ambassador, Kohli. He gained 250 million Instagram followers for the first time in May. He is an Indian. He only has less Instagram followers than football greats Lionel Messi (464 million) and Cristiano Ronaldo (585 million and counting) globally. The world is aware of Kohli's influence and superstardom, and Campriani agrees.
Niccolo Campriani
— Gaurav (@Melbourne__82) October 16, 2023
(LA Sports Director) on Virat Kohli -
Virat Kohli is one of the main reason behind the inclusion of cricket in 2028 Los Angeles Olympics? pic.twitter.com/ROaThRfmKo
"The Olympic movement obtains access to hitherto untapped populations of athletes and spectators while the IOC and the cricket community as cricket are exhibited on a global scale to develop beyond the traditional cricket countries. It's a fantastic illustration of how one may influence the other.
Earlier this year, well-known sports entrepreneur and investor Joe Pompliano made an enticing claim about cricket's widespread appeal on an episode of "The Joe Pomp Show." Pompliano claims that, after football, cricket is the sport that is most widely watched on a worldwide basis. Cricket has a remarkable 2.5 billion fans worldwide, which speaks much about its huge appeal.
Pompliano made a remarkable comparison between this astounding figure and Kohli's Instagram followers in order to fully contextualize it.
Joe Pompliano, A sports investor about Virat Kohli.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 16, 2023
Kohli is the face of world cricket.pic.twitter.com/YYC2tQjNWl
Kohli's massive Instagram following, which exceeds that of some of the most well-known sportsmen in the world, including Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Shohei Ohtani, and Patrick Mahomes combined, is proof of his enormous impact. Comparatively, Ohtani, a popular personality among baseball fans in the United States, has merely 6 million followers.
"KOHLIFIED! The Face and the Brand, not just for RCB or Team India, but for Cricket as a sport too! Sports Director at #LA28 explains why it's a win-win to have Cricket at the #Olympics. #PlayBold," IPL team RCB acknowledged Campriani's remarks in a post on 'X'.
?????????! ✍️
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) October 16, 2023
The Face and the Brand, not just for RCB or Team India, but for Cricket as a sport too! ? ?
Sports Director at #LA28 explains why it’s a win-win to have Cricket at the #Olympics. ? #PlayBold pic.twitter.com/x2JJa7ALyZ
Sachin Tendulkar, a master shooter, concurred and hailed the inclusion of cricket in the Olympic program as the start of a new era."After a wait of more than a century, our beloved sport is back on the Olympic stage at @LA28. This marks the dawn of a new era for cricket as it will be a golden opportunity to foster inclusivity and showcase new talent from emerging cricketing nations. A start of something truly special!"
After a wait of more than a century, our beloved sport is back on the Olympic stage at @LA28. This marks the dawn of a new era for cricket as it will be a golden opportunity to foster inclusivity and showcase new talent from emerging cricketing nations. A start of something truly… https://t.co/Y4o2Zp5gl7
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 16, 2023
The only little drawback to this super-cool discovery is that Kohli might not play when cricket returns to the Olympics in five years. By the LA 2028 Games, India's T20I captain Virat Kohli will be 39 years old, on the verge of turning 40, and, if he hasn't already retired, would be in the latter phase of his career.
Great Britain had won the gold medal in cricket when it was last played by beating France in a one-match match.
The Indian women's cricket team put on an admirable performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, winning a silver medal after a hard-fought final against Australia. This year's remarkable performance has continued as both the women's and men's cricket teams have recently triumphed by winning gold medals at the Asian Games. Squash, flag football, baseball/softball, lacrosse, and cricket are the other four sports that make up the largest athletic event in the world.
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