Inclusion of Cricket in Olympic would undoubtedly enhance the appeal of the event. Cricket, being the second most popular sport, is only surpassed by soccer in terms of its ability to captivate audiences.
Why was Cricket not included in the Olympic Games? This query is sure to arise in the mind of any ardent cricket fan. However, both soccer and cricket were introduced in the Summer Olympics of 1900, which took place in France. It was only in 1932 that FIFA decided to withdraw from the Olympics in order to promote the World Cup, but cricket has never been included at any point.
Inclusion of Cricket in The First Olympic
Cricket was initially planned for inclusion in the First Modern Olympics held in 1896. However, the event was eventually called off due to a lack of participants. In 1900 ,Cricket was reintroduced to the Olympic Games. But inclusion of Cricket didn’t make remarkable impact.
On that occasion, Belgium, Netherlands, France, and England were all slated to compete, but both Netherlands and Belgium ultimately decided to withdraw their entries. A two-day test match took place between England and France. Emerging victorious over France by a margin of 158 years, England secured the first and only Olympic Gold Medal in Cricket. But failure of making an impact in that Olympic shut the door of Inclusion of Cricket in Olympic.
Why was Cricket not Included in Olympic
The inclusion of Cricket will undoubtedly bring a remarkable event to an ardent cricket enthusiast. However, it is necessary to analyze the reason behind the exclusion of Cricket from the Olympic Games over the past century.
a) Separate Stadium
Cricket requires a different type of playing field compared to soccer, rugby, or any other sport. It necessitates a distinct ground as well as a separate stadium. As the pitch plays a crucial role in Cricket, the need for a different playing field cannot be compromised. Hence inclusion of Cricket will undoubtedly become a serious burden to the host nation.
b) Lack of Global Exposure
Though Cricket is a popular game, its popularity is largely due to Asian nations. Only a few countries actively participate in Cricket. It does not rank among the top five popular sports in most European, African, and South American countries. Non-cricketing nations do not see the need to invest in building a separate stadium for a game that is not widely popular among their citizen.
c) Match Duration:
In the past, Cricket primarily consisted of Test Matches. While the Olympic Games span two to three weeks, a Test Match lasts for five days. The extended duration of Test Matches made it unsuitable for inclusion in the Olympics. Even a One Day International (ODI) match takes a considerable amount of time to be completed.
d)Lack of Effort From ICC
Neither the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), nor the International Cricket Council (ICC) have shown significant interest regarding inclusion of Cricket in the Olympic Games.
Why Cricket Should be Included in Olympic
Nobody can deny increasing popularity of Cricket.Therefore inclusion of Cricket in Olympic has become a popular demand.
a) Popular Format of Cricket:
. In the last 100 years, Cricket has undergone significant changes. It is no longer limited to five-day test matches. The introduction of the T-20 format has greatly increased the acceptance of Cricket. Therefore, the decision to include Cricket in the Olympics would undoubtedly be a great move by the IOC.
b) Global Exposure of Cricket:
It is undeniable that Cricket has less global exposure compared to Football. However, Football is the only sport that surpasses Cricket in popularity. With 2.5 billion fans, Cricket’s immense popularity is evident. Therefore, including Cricket in the Olympics will further enhance its popularity.
c) Gaining Popularity in Non- Cricketing Nation:
The T-20 Cricket format has already gained considerable popularity in non-cricketing nations in Europe and South America. Countries like Germany, Italy, and Argentina are now hosting cricket leagues in their respective countries. As a result, the sport is gradually gaining global recognition.
Inclusion of Cricket in Olympic again:
However, there is a possibility of a new chapter being introduced in the history of Cricket at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. It has been decided to start inclusion of Cricket in Olympic games again, as stated by Indian javelin ace Neeraj Chopra.“The sport’s inclusion at LA28 will be an opportunity for cricket to extend its global footprint and encourage more countries to take up the sport seriously,”
