Double-edged sword: Cricket at Olympic Games fraught with danger but a golden chance to become truly global sport

It should surprise nobody who is even vaguely aware of the modus operandi of the IOC and ICC that the push to include cricket in the Olympics is all about money. 

Despite the best efforts of their corporate spin doctors, the International Olympic Committee and International Cricket Council have thoroughly earned a reputation for making the pursuit of a dollar their favourite sport. 

There is a relatively sudden push for cricket to be included in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles with eight nations in each of the men’s and women’s competitions going for gold in the T20 format. 

Any cricket nuffie worth their linseed will tell you that the sport could be re-introduced, not introduced, after it was played at the Paris Games in 1900. 

On that occasion it was contested by two teams – England and the host nation. Not surprisingly, the French team made up almost entirely of expat Englishmen pocketed the silver medal. 

A decision on whether the IOC will be green-lighting a return was due later this week but has been delayed.