Cricket returns to Olympics. Howzat?

More than hundred years ago a cricket tournament debuted at the 1900 Paris Olympics. The only match of the tournament was played between teams representing Great Britain and France, and was won by 158 runs by Great Britain. The scheduled competition at the 1904 Summer Olympics was cancelled at short notice due to lack of facilities, and the sport has not been played in the Olympic Games since.

After so many years overwhelmed by the viewership and charisma of cricket, International Olympic Committee IOC President Jacques Rogge’s gratifying comments gave a boost to Cricket’s chances of being included at future Olympics. Twenty20 is the most likely format for cricket at an Olympics – the limited hour time frame making it more palatable for viewers of non-cricket playing nations as well.

“The ICC will decide at the end of June whether they will make an application (for making cricket an Olympic sport),” “We would welcome an application. It’s an important, popular sport and very powerful on television” Jacques Rogge said. “It’s tactically interesting, a game of patience, a game of great skills and the only sport where, after five days, you can draw!”

On the other hand a formal application to take part in the Olympics does not appear to be on the ICC’s horizon at present. “There are currently no plans to submit an application to add cricket to event programme. The matter is not on the agenda for the Board meeting in June,” an ICC spokesman told ESPNcricinfo.

England is the Home of Cricket, what better place to have cricket in the Olympics. The 2012 Summer Olympic Games are scheduled to take place in London, from 27 July to 12 August 2012. London will become the first city to officially host the modern Olympic Games three times, having previously done so in 1908 and in 1948. There are online petitions and Facebook Events already supporting T20 Cricket 2012 Olympics.

T20 cricket is fun and fast and played in countries that have not traditionally excelled in the Olympics. London also has the venues (The Oval, Lords) to be able to host a cricket tournament at the same time as the main sports.

Howzat!