In 2028, the world will come together once again for one of the most popular and iconic events in the world of sports and culture: the Olympic Games. This time, the games will be hosted in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, California. As the host city for the third time in history, Los Angeles is getting ready to deliver a spectacular Olympic experience.
First officially commencing in 1896 in Athens, Greece, the Olympic Games consisted of events such as track and field, cycling, swimming, gymnastics, weightlifting, wrestling, fencing, shooting, and tennis. Created for a combination of cultural, religious, and competitive reasons, the Olympics have served as an outlet for athletic prowess for over a century. Athletes from around the world such as Michael Phelps, Simone Biles, and Usain Bolt have gained the ability to display their talent and become household names.
The Olympics have evolved over the years to continuously deliver a prestigious sporting event. In more recent years, the Olympics have been divided into two main categories: the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics. The Summer Olympics feature a wide range of sports, including athletics, gymnastics, swimming, and team sports, while the Winter Olympics focus on sports like skiing, ice hockey, figure skating, and snowboarding.
As of October 16, 2023 the International Olympic Committee has approved a proposal made by a group of local organizers to add five additional sports to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. These sports include flag football, lacrosse, baseball/softball, cricket, and squash.
While baseball/softball, cricket, and lacrosse will be making a return to the games, flag football and squash will be making their grand Olympic debut. An important thing to note concerning these new additions is that staple American sports will be showcased to the world, all while bringing international sports to the American scene. The 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games will give flag football and squash their premiere on an international level.
Baseball/softball, flag football, and lacrosse are more internationally recognized sports, but squash and cricket are a bit more unknown—especially to those of us who reside in the United States.
Squash is a racket sport quite similar to racquetball. It is played by two individuals on a rectangular court surrounded by four walls. Players take turns hitting the ball off of any of the four walls, as long as it does not bounce on the floor more than once. The first player to reach 11 points wins a game. The first player to win three games wins the whole match. Squash will prove to be a wonderful addition to the 2028 Olympic Games with its unique gameplay.
Cricket will make its return to the Olympics in grand fashion. Cricket has only been played at the 1900 Summer Olympics, but by popular demand, it is back for round two. The sport gained its popularity in the Indian subcontinent, Australia, the United Kingdom, and areas of the West Indies. The game itself resembles traditional American baseball in the sense that it is a bat and ball sport. It is played among two teams of 11 players each. The primary objective of the game is for teams to bat and score, allowing the team with the most points to win the game.
Each of these new and/or returning sports will bring an exciting twist to the 2028 Summer Olympic Games. The inclusion of these sports will allow the Olympic Movement to engage with athlete and fan communities in the United States and globally. The 2028 Summer Olympics In Los Angeles are set to begin on July 14, 2028 and continue through July 30.
