With the conclusion of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the responsibility for hosting the Summer Games has now passed to Los Angeles for the 2028 edition. For the next period, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has revised the list of sports to be contested.
In its most recent decision in 2023, the IOC added five new sports to the 2028 Olympic program, including lacrosse and cricket, which had been absent for more than a century. As of August 2024, these five sports have been confirmed for inclusion in the Los Angeles Olympics.
In addition to the introduction of new sports, some existing sports will no longer be included in the 2028 Olympics.
Read also: Let's Meet Southeast Asia's First Olympic Gold Medallist in History!
Sports Returning to the 2028 Olympics
Cricket: Returning after a century-long absence
After an absence of more than a century, cricket will return to the Olympic stage in Los Angeles in 2028. Its inclusion in the world's biggest sporting event marks a new chapter for the sport, which last appeared briefly at the 1900 Paris Olympics. A T20 format with 11 players per team has been proposed as the competition format.
Lacrosse: Returning in a new format
Lacrosse will make its third Olympic appearance, this time in a more dynamic format known as Lacrosse Sixes. After an absence of more than a century since its last appearance in the 1904 and 1908 Olympics, lacrosse's return in 2028 represents a significant milestone in the sport's development.
Baseball/Softball: Returning in a Combined Format
Baseball and softball will return to the 2028 Olympic Games in a combined format, with men's baseball and women's softball competitions. However, instead of being held in the host city of Los Angeles, these events will be held in Oklahoma City. This decision was made to take advantage of the city's existing sports facilities.
Historically, baseball and softball have been separate events in the Olympics, with baseball being a men's sport since 1992 and softball being a women's sport since 1996. They were combined into one category for the first time at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Read also: Paris 2024 Olympics Recap: Southeast Asia’s Unforgettable Achievements
Debut of New Sports in the 2028 Olympic Games
Flag Football
The 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles will feature the debut of two new sports: flag football and squash. Flag football, a non-contact team sport popular in the United States, will be played in both men's and women's formats.
Squash
Squash, a racquet sport popular with indoor sports enthusiasts, will make its official debut at the 2028 Olympics. Although it was previously introduced as a demonstration sport at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, it will not gain official Olympic status until the upcoming Games in Los Angeles.
In squash matches, two players compete to hit a ball with a racket inside a walled indoor court. To win a match, a player must win three games, with each game won by the first player to score 11 points.
Sports Removed from the 2028 Olympics
Boxing: An Uncertain Future
The future of boxing in the 2028 Olympics remains uncertain. While the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has yet to make an official announcement regarding the removal of boxing from the list of sports, concerns about its potential absence have arisen due to the sport's unclear international leadership.
Previously, the International Boxing Association (IBA) was responsible for organizing boxing competitions at the Olympic Games. However, due to various issues, including allegations of corruption and failure to implement reforms, the IOC withdrew its recognition of the IBA in 2023.
Breaking: A Short-Lived Debut
Breaking dance fans are bracing for the loss of one of the most anticipated new sports at the Paris 2024 Olympics-breaking. Despite originating in the United States and garnering worldwide attention, breaking will not be included in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. This decision surprised many, given the public enthusiasm for breaking's debut in Paris.
