Former India captain and coach Rahul Dravid expressed his excitement over cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympics, calling it a “phenomenal” development for the sport. Dravid emphasized that it is a dream for any sportsperson to be part of the unique vibe and environment generated by the Olympic Games.
“If you love sport as I have, you grow up with the Olympics,” Dravid said at India House – Celebrating India at the Paris Olympics 2024. “My earliest memories are of Carl Lewis winning at the Olympics and television coming to India. We used to be glued to the television sets to watch these great athletes perform and play. You always wanted to be a part of a great event. You have great events in cricket but they are individual events. To be in this kind of environment, energy and vibe is a dream come true for any sportsman.”
Cricket’s Return to the Olympics
Cricket was one of five disciplines officially added for the Los Angeles edition of the international sporting event alongside baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse, and squash following last year’s International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting in Mumbai. It will be played in the T20 format and feature six teams from both the men’s and the women’s competitions.
Growing the Game in New Territories
Dravid, who recently coached India to their second T20 World Cup win, co-hosted by the USA, also reflected on the passion for the game in one of cricket’s newest centers. “We know there is an incredible audience for cricket in the USA. We know that just from the number of people who travel from USA to other World Cup events. There is a huge passion for the game in the USA. Just growing the game and having more people play the game was phenomenal,” he said.
Cricket’s Global Appeal
Dravid believes that cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics will boost the sport’s global appeal. “It always felt like cricket should be a part of this [Olympics]. It is truly a great game. It is followed by so many people around the world. It is fantastic for someone like me who is now only a fan. It is truly phenomenal,” he added.
Cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics is a significant step forward for the sport, providing it with a global platform to reach new audiences and further its development. As cricket prepares for its Olympic debut in Los Angeles, fans and players alike are eagerly anticipating this historic moment.
