“That can only benefit our game”: Ricky Ponting on the 2028 Olympics cricket comeback.
Former Australian captain and World Cup winner Ricky Ponting believes cricket would benefit significantly from its return to the Olympics in Los Angeles in four years.
It will be included in the two-week-long spectacular during the 2028 Games, which will take place in Los Angeles and mark the sport’s 128th anniversary of returning to competition.
Cricket was only played at the Olympics once, in 1900, when two teams competed: Great Britain and France. Great Britain took home the gold medal.
It can only benefit our game in some way. Throughout the past 15 or 20 years, I have served on several committees, and bringing the sport back to the Olympics has always been at the top of practically every agenda. Ponting said during The ICC Review, “And at last, it’s there.”
It’ll only be here in four years. It also offers cricket in the US an opportunity to gain traction at the local level.
However, the host country is only one of the factors in the Olympic Games. The audience it opens up to is the primary concern.”
During the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai in October, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) formally confirmed the sport’s inclusion in the Games.
Ponting also considered that billions of people watch the Olympics yearly, making it the ideal opportunity for the sport to gain popularity and establish itself as a significant player globally.
“The Olympic Games are being viewed by so many people worldwide, and it just opens up completely different audiences to our game, which is seemingly growing daily anyway. It can only have a perfect effect on the game,” he continued.
However, with the way the pitches in New York, Dallas, and Florida during the T20 World Cup in June turned out to be below average, Ponting believed that facilities and infrastructure would be something that would need to be addressed. In addition to qualification.
Infrastructure and facilities will be crucial, as will the number of ultimately chosen teams. “I believe they’re discussing only six or seven teams,” he said.
“So, qualification is going to be at a premium — how you qualify to get into the Olympic Games.”
“With all that in mind, I’m excited about the direction the game is taking and the expansion of the various markets starting to emerge.”
Ponting left the Delhi Capitals of the Indian Premier League and is currently without coaching employment.
He did, however, voice his excitement about the possibility of coaching his country’s team in the LA Games in four years, even if he thinks there will be a large field of candidates for the position.
Ponting remarked, “I think it would be a pretty nice job to be a mentor around a cricket team in the Olympic Games and hang out.”
“I was lucky enough to play in the Commonwealth Games (1998), and just to be around the athletes in the villages and stuff was quite a surreal environment for a cricketer.”
“Well, look, I wouldn’t say ‘no,’ but I believe many people will put up their hands to try and be a coach or mentor for an Australian team competing in the Olympics.”
It would be an honour to participate, so who knows? “I’ll cross my fingers and see what happens,” he said in closing.
Cricket is more than a sport; it’s frequently referred to as a religion in nations like India, Australia, and England. It’s a global cultural phenomenon that connects millions of fans. But despite its enormous popularity, cricket has yet to be included in the world’s most excellent athletic event, the Olympics. However, things might change. Cricket’s possible Olympic participation is heralded as a paradigm shift for the sport and international athletics.
The Olympic History of Cricket.
The Short Olympic Career of Cricket in 1900
The last time cricket was contested at the Olympic Games was in 1900 in Paris. There has never been an Olympic cricket match; it was between Great Britain and France. It was a low-key event, and the sport was left out of the following games. Cricket was never seriously considered for the Olympics for more than a century, primarily because of the game’s logistical difficulties and intricate rules.
The Growing Interest in Cricket’s Comeback to the Olympics
A renewed campaign to include cricket in the Olympics has been made in recent years, spearheaded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and several member countries. The T20 format is considered the best sports variation to be played at the Olympics because of its quicker, more exciting gameplay. T20 cricket is an ideal match for the fast-paced atmosphere of the Olympics because of its intensity and simplicity.
The Significance of Cricket at the Olympics
The sport’s expansion and global exposure
A far larger worldwide audience would be exposed to cricket if it were included in the Olympics. While cricket is extremely popular in England, Australia, Pakistan, India, and other nations, it must be clarified in many different world regions. With its enormous worldwide audience, the Olympics might be the ideal stage for launching cricket into untapped countries and piquing interest in areas where the game hasn’t yet taken off.
Possible Financial Gains
The game of cricket may profit economically from its participation in the Olympics. One of the most significant athletic events of the year is the Olympics and the money that the sport’s governing organisations stand to gain financially from sponsorship deals, increased item sales, and advertising revenue. Moreover, cricket’s growing popularity might draw in new backers and sponsors, accelerating the game’s expansion.
The Role of Cricket in the World of International Sports
The Development of Cricket as a World Sport
Cricket’s entry into the Olympics may be a turning point in the game’s history, from a local obsession to an international phenomenon. With the Olympics’ prominence and publicity, cricket can expand into new areas and become a significant international sport on par with basketball, football, and athletics.
The Olympic Cricket Legacy
Cricket’s Olympic legacy may go much beyond the actual competitions. The Olympics may encourage a new generation of cricket players and spectators by presenting the game to a worldwide audience, ensuring the sport’s survival for many years. Increased participation, more funding for community development, and the sport’s ongoing global expansion are among the potential effects of Olympic cricket.
In conclusion, cricket enters a new era.
A new era for cricket might be ushered in by its inclusion in the Olympics, which would attract millions of new fans worldwide. Even though there are obstacles to overcome, there are a lot of potential advantages, including the Olympics. Cricket may make significant progress towards becoming a truly global sport by seizing the chance to compete on the biggest sporting stage in the world.
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