LA28 Olympics Welcomes 5 New Sports!

The IOC Session, during its 141st meeting, has given the green light to include five new sports in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. These sports, including baseball/softball, cricket (T20), flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash, are expected to celebrate American and global sports culture.

Los Angeles, October 16, 2023 - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has given its official nod to the inclusion of five additional sports in the lineup for the 2028 Olympic Games, to be held in Los Angeles. The decision was announced during the 141st Session of the IOC, following extensive deliberations and evaluations.

The five sports that will grace the LA28 Olympics are baseball/softball, cricket (T20), flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash. This selection represents a deliberate effort to align with American sports culture and showcase iconic American sports to the world while introducing international sports to the United States, making LA28 a truly unique Olympic experience.

In a momentous decision, baseball/softball, cricket, and lacrosse are set to make a return to the Olympic Games, rekindling their Olympic history. Baseball and softball have previously featured in various editions of the Games, with their most recent appearance at Tokyo 2020. Meanwhile, cricket made its Olympic debut back in 1900, and lacrosse, after its inclusion in the St Louis 1904 and London 1908 Olympics, is set to make a comeback. Flag football and squash, on the other hand, will be making their debut on the grand Olympic stage, bringing fresh and exciting elements to LA28.

IOC President Thomas Bach lauded the selection, emphasizing that these sports would highlight American culture and engage new athlete and fan communities in the United States and across the globe. It's a deliberate move to celebrate sports diversity while uniting nations under the Olympic banner.

Casey Wasserman, Chairperson of LA28, shared the vision of creating a spectacular and inclusive Olympic Games that would captivate audiences worldwide. The inclusion of these sports aligns with their ambition to forge collaborations with professional leagues, opening up vast opportunities to enhance the Olympic and Paralympic narratives and draw new fans into the fold.

This decision wasn't made lightly but emerged from a meticulous process based on predefined evaluation criteria, including a focus on gender equality. The feasibility of using existing facilities, engaging various sports communities, and incorporating some of the most popular sports both in the United States and worldwide were key considerations in the selection process.

Additionally, the IOC Session addressed the status of modern pentathlon and weightlifting, two sports not initially part of the LA28 sports program:

Modern Pentathlon: The IOC Session endorsed the recommendation to include modern pentathlon in the LA28 sports program. This decision is attributed to the replacement of horse riding with obstacle racing and the optimization efforts by the International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) to reduce costs and complexity. The IOC emphasized the importance of UIPM's ongoing governance improvements and modernization efforts.

Weightlifting: The IOC Session accepted the recommendation to include weightlifting in the LA28 sports program, following the International Weightlifting Federation's (IWF) decision to delegate anti-doping management to the International Testing Agency (ITA) and its sanctioning to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The IOC will closely monitor the effectiveness of anti-doping programs for the Paris 2024 Olympic qualification and competition, as well as the implementation of governance and cultural changes within the IWF.

Regarding Olympic boxing, the IOC has withdrawn recognition of the International Boxing Association (IBA) and has yet to recognize another governing body. Consequently, the IOC Executive Board decided to postpone any decision regarding the inclusion of boxing in the LA28 sports program.

The remaining 28 sports previously approved for the LA28 Olympic program by the IOC Session in February 2022 will maintain their status. Further details concerning the discipline program, events, and athlete quotas will be finalized after the Paris 2024 Olympics. The Olympic Programme Commission (OPC) will work to ensure that the athlete quota for the LA28 Olympics remains reasonable and below the overall quota for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, focusing on creating a balanced and inclusive competition.

In a landmark decision, the International Olympic Committee approved the addition of baseball/softball, cricket (T20), flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash to the LA28 Olympics. While some of these sports are returning, others make their Olympic debut, reflecting a commitment to diversity and engagement with new athlete and fan communities, both in the United States and worldwide. This selection, rooted in careful evaluation criteria, aims to create a unique and inclusive Olympic experience.