ASC welcomes new sports selected for LA 2028
The International Olympic Committee has announced baseball/softball, cricket, flag football, lacrosse and squash will join the program for the 2028 Olympic Games.
17 October 2023
The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has welcomed the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to include baseball/softball, cricket (T20), flag football, lacrosse and squash as part of the program for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Australia's Rachael Grinham plays a shot against Donna Lobban, also from Australia, during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games in 2022. The sport is returning to the Olympic Games schedule for 2028. Photo: Getty Images
The sports were officially approved by the IOC at a meeting in Mumbai, India.
ASC Executive General Manager of AIS Performance Matti Clements said the decision to include new sports would inspire a new generation to become involved in sport.
“It is exciting that Australian athletes from these sports are now on the path to potentially realising their Olympic dreams and representing their country at LA 2028,” Clements said.
“While the immediate focus for the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) is on supporting athletes and sports preparing for Paris 2024, we’ll work closely with these six sports to ensure their high performance strategies for Los Angeles are taking shape.”
Cricket, lacrosse, and baseball and softball have all previously featured at the Games, squash and flag football will both be making their Olympic debuts at LA 2028.
The IOC also confirmed that modern pentathlon and weightlifting will be part of LA28 despite not being part of the initial sports program.
A decision regarding the inclusion of boxing for LA28 was “put on hold” by the IOC.
“As major events and the schedules continue to evolve, the ASC, through the AIS, will continue to deliver a range of programs to support all sports and their high performance athletes prepare for pinnacle events,” said Clements.
