International Olympic Committee Brings Countless Smiles After Approving Massive ‘Sporting’ Request for LA28
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The sports world is gearing up for the much anticipated and biggest sporting event, the 2024 Paris Olympics. Subsequently, the 2026 Winter Olympics will take place in Milano Cortina. And following that, the 2028 Olympics will take place in Los Angeles, also known as LA28. After the much hype and inclusion of sports for the Olympics, a recent update for the LA28 has hailed the leaving smiles and joy on fans’ faces worldwide.
The LA28 Organising Committee proposed a package of 5 sports exclusively for their edition of the Games. This proposal, after careful review and support from the IOC, (OPC) & Executive Board (EB), has received the final yes. These additions have garnered significant appreciation, with certain sports being hailed as the masters in specific countries. The official confirmation from the IOC is now creating waves in the sports community, breaking the internet with its exciting news.
LA28 is set to witness new sports by making history
The Olympics committee has confirmed the inclusion of baseball/softball, T20 cricket, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash as additional sports for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028 (LA28). The decision, made by the 141st Session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), marks the return of Baseball, Softball, cricket, and lacrosse to the Olympic stage, while flag football and squash make their Olympic debut.
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BEIJING, CHINA – FEBRUARY 15: Max Parrot of Team Canada performs a trick during the Men’s Snowboard Big Air final on Day 11 of the Beijing Winter Olympics at Big Air Shougang on February 15, 2022 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The status of boxing, however, remains uncertain due to the International Boxing Association’s expulsion from the Olympic Movement. The emergence of World Boxing, a breakaway rival body, has failed to gain the expected support. “The choice of these five new sports is in line with the American sports culture and will showcase iconic American sports to the world while bringing international sports to the United States. These sports will make the Olympic Games LA28 unique,” said IOC President Thomas Bach.
LA28 Chairperson Casey Wasserman also said, “We are excited to embark on game-changing collaborations with major professional leagues that will unlock massive opportunities to amplify the Olympic and Paralympic story and captivate new audiences.”
IOC sports director Kit McConnell acknowledged that the addition of these sports, along with the reinstatement of modern pentathlon and weightlifting, would exceed the 10,500-athlete limit for the Games. The temporary hold on boxing has introduced a minor setback, but the excitement for the diverse sports lineup at LA28 prevails.
A closer look at Boxing and other Olympics sports status
After the IOC withdrew recognition from the International Boxing Association (IBA), the IOC and EB decided to put the decision on boxing’s inclusion in the LA28 sports program on hold. The IOC Session did not discuss this matter. Before this, the approval for the other 28 sports in the LA28 Olympic program was already given a green signal in Feb 2022.
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SOCHI, RUSSIA – FEBRUARY 13: Gus Kenworthy of the United States competes in the Freestyle Skiing Men’s Ski Slopestyle Finals during day six of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Rosa Khutor Extreme Park on February 13, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The discipline program received approval on October 13, 2023. However, the finalization of the program of events and athlete quotas will occur after Paris 2024. IOC sports director Kit McConnell expressed, “These sports will make the Olympic Games LA28 unique.”
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Notably, breaking, karate, kickboxing, and motorsport, which were on the initial shortlist for Los Angeles 2028, missed the final cut. The exclusion of breaking is surprising given its scheduled Olympic debut in Paris 2024. In essence, as the days come closer, the sports community is all set to witness athletes making waves worldwide in new games.
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Edited by:
Brandon Gabriel