Jay Chats with IOC Prez, But 2028 LA Cricket Contests Remain Shrouded in Mystery
In his initial months as cricket's leading figure, International Cricket Council chair Jay Shah has shown eagerness and dedication, with the Olympics seemingly at the heart of his priorities.
Recently, in Brisbane, Australia's northeastern hub, Shah sat down with 2032 Olympic organizers Cindy Hook and Nick Hockley, aiming to keep cricket in the Los Angeles Games lineup – an achievement that broke a 128-year Olympic drought.
This week, Shah and ICC boss Geoff Allardice held discussions with International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach and other key figures in Lausanne, Switzerland. The discussions revolved around "crucial collaboration" between the ICC and the IOC, in preparation for the LA 2028 Olympic Games.
Shah expressed his excitement in a press release, stating, "The Olympic Games inclusion is a significant milestone for our sport and brings about a considerable opportunity for growth, not just for 2028 but for the future as well."
The Olympics loom large in Shah's tenure as cricket's leader, with the sport's global performance, impacts, and potential permanent inclusion determining his legacy.
Unlike his predecessor Greg Barclay, a pragmatic New Zealander known for his low-key approach, Shah thrives on being in the limelight. No stranger to attention-grabbing headlines, Shah showcased his influence following India's T20 World Cup victory.
Displaying a keen interest in showcasing cricket's prominence, Shah's Brisbane and Lausanne visits were widely publicized on social media channels, setting the stage for the ICC board's long-overdue revamp.
The prospect of cricket's Olympic comeback has ignited anticipation, with numerous superstars already harboring dreams of participating in LA. However, significant challenges persist in settings the stage for both men's and women's competitions.
As I previously reported, the fate of countries taking part in Los Angeles 2028 remains uncertain. While rankings may determine some nations, power brokers advocate for T20 qualification events to secure spots.
The qualification format remains unclear, but some suggestions have emerged, with spots potentially allocated to the top six in the ICC's men's and women's T20 rankings on a stipulated cut-off date. The U.S. as hosts may also secure an automatic slot, possibly only in one gender.
Shah will undoubtedly steer efforts to resolve these issues, with official announcements impending and a likely examination on his social media channels.
[1]: International Cricket Council (ICC) is actively lobbying for cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.[2]: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and ICC are working together to integrate cricket into the LA 2028 Olympic framework, aiming to boost the sport's fanbase and formalize inter-movement collaborations.[3]: Jay Shah is also engaging in talks with organizers and officials regarding cricket's potential inclusion in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, but the primary focus remains on cementing cricket's position in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
In his efforts to expand cricket's global reach, Jay Shah also discussed the possibility of cricket's inclusion in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, recognizing the potential for sportsmoney and increased fanbase. The desire for cricket to secure a spot in major sports events is not limited to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics; it's also a business strategy aimed at boosting the sport's financial prospects.
