Cricket will return to the Olympics at the 2028 Games. With a view to hosting the 2036 Summer Games, the IOC suspects a billion-dollar deal. But the focus is currently on the World Cup.
When India meets Pakistan on Saturday (October 14, 2023, 2 p.m.), the matter will be highly political. Since the colony of British India was divided into two countries with a simple line on the map in 1947, the region has not found peace. There have already been four wars in the tug-of-war over the Kashmir region. There are no differences when it comes to the question of the national sport: cricket, the pastime of the colonial rulers, is common in both countries.
And that’s why people in at least these two countries are excited about the “Blockbuster Clash” – on Saturday India plays against Pakistan. The venue for the preliminary round duel between the arch-rivals is the largest sports arena in the world: the Narendra Modi Stadium in a suburb of the Indian city of Ahmedabad offers space for 132,000 people – and many, many more would have wanted to go there .
Pakistan lost all World Cup duels
There have only been seven duels in the World Cup, which has been held since 1975, and Pakistan, world champions in 1992, lost all of them. Pakistan is now going into the eighth duel with impressive victories against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka, while India has won no less convincingly against record world champions Australia. A total of ten nations take part in the World Cup, each plays against each other once, and the first four teams in the table then play in the semi-finals.
The hosts, world champions in 1983 and 2011, are considered slight favorites in the highlight match of the normal round, also because they have the “Pitch” are familiar, i.e. the pitfalls of the strip on which the ball is thrown after the “Bowlers” before the “BatsmanThe Indian professionals are also hardened by the games played by the financially strong ten teams Indian Premier League (IPL), in which cricket stars from all over the world duel in April and May.
Return to Olympic program after 128 years
In the midst of this World Cup and one day before the top duel between India and Pakistan, the International Olympic Committee made a far-reaching decision. The popular Indian sport is returning to the Olympic program after 128 years and will be represented at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, as will the newly added sports of baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse and squash. The last time cricket was included in the Olympics was in 1900.
Los Angeles will “Presenting iconic American sports to the world while bringing international sports to the United States”said IOC President Thomas Bach. At the same time, the decision enables the “To connect the Olympic movement with new athletes and fan bases in the U.S. and around the world.”
Huge increase in TV revenue from cricket
According to a report by the industry portal “insidethegames“The IOC’s TV revenue in India from cricket increases from $20 to $150 million.
But cricket will not only fill the IOC’s pockets with a view to the 2028 Games. Of all the sports now included in 2028, the impact sport promises the IOC the greatest increase in the value of its overall product on a huge Asian market. Australia, which will host the world sports festival with Brisbane in 2032, is also a cricket country.
India’s chances for 2036 are increasing
The signals are clear. The IOC goes where it expects growth opportunities. Cricket is the almost perfect vehicle to bring joy to Asia. As host of the 141st session in Mumbai, India is presenting itself to the IOC as a land of unlimited opportunities.
And because everything is no coincidence, everything points to India being the hottest candidate to host the 2036 Olympics. This is also a nod to the German Olympic Sports Confederation: an application from Germany will probably have fewer chances.