The organizing committee for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles announced on Monday that it had proposed adding five new sports to the programme, including cricket and squash, although breaking and debuting in Paris 2024 would be scrapped.
In a statement, the Los Angeles 2028 Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games took note of the proposal to include baseball/softball, ‘flag football’, a version without protective elements – and less violent – of American football, cricket, squash and racquet sports to take. the use of a wall and lacrosse, a sport with Indian roots, on the program.
Breaking, in turn, is missing from the North American list, after being one of the big news for Paris2024 and introducing this kind of urban dance into the sports program, without hearing the intentions of the return of karate.
These changes will now be voted on at the 141st session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), after review by the IOC, and the idea is to “reflect the diversity, optimism and creativity of Los Angeles.”
The inclusions add a North American flavor to the programme, including versions of popular sports on the continent, but struggling to attract practitioners, championships and teams in other parts of the world.
“These sports ignite imaginations on the playing field and push culture beyond. They are relevant, innovative and community-oriented, played in playgrounds and parks, community centers and stadiums across the country and around the world.”stated Casey Wasserman, president of the organizing committee.
These five additions join the program of 28 Olympic disciplines already announced in February 2022 and generally established several cycles ago, with the exception of climbing and surfing, introduced for Tokyo 2020.
As for the Olympic tournaments, cricket was played in one match in 1900, and lacrosse left the program in 1908, while baseball (men) and softball (women) were part of Tokyo 2020 but will miss Paris 2024.
The final inclusion decision, which will also affect the limit of up to 10,500 athletes for a Summer Games, will take place on October 16 in Bombay, India, where the 141st session of the IOC is scheduled.
In 2028, Los Angeles will host the Olympic Games for the third time in history, after 1932 and 1984.
Source: DN
