INCLUSION OF BASEBALL/SOFTBALL, CRICKET, FLAG FOOTBALL, LACROSSE AND SQUASH IN THE 2028 OLYMPIC SPORT PROGRAM TO BE REVIEWED BY THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE AND VOTED ON AT 141ST IOC SESSION

LOS ANGELES, OCTOBER 9, 2023 — The LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games shared its official proposal for new Olympic sports, including Baseball/Softball, Flag Football, Cricket (Twenty20), Lacrosse (Sixes) and Squash, to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for potential inclusion in the 2028 Olympic sport program. 

Marking a pivotal moment in actualizing a shared vision for the 2028 Olympic Games, this boldly reimagined sport lineup reflects the diversity, optimism and creativity of Los Angeles. LA28’s proposal harnesses the power of global sport in a fiscally responsible way to enliven the Games with fresh, forward-thinking energy. The proposal will strengthen relationships with international federations and professional leagues, delivering new levels of excitement to existing Olympic fans and welcoming a new generation of athletes and fans to join in co-creating what’s next.

“LA28’s proposed sports ignite the imagination on the field of play and drive culture off it. They’re relevant, innovative and community-based, played in backyards, schoolyards, community centers, stadiums and parks across the U.S. and the globe,” said LA28 Chairperson Casey Wasserman. “They will bring new athletes to the Games, engage diverse fanbases and expand the Games’ presence in digital spaces, further amplifying LA28’s mission to deliver an unparalleled experience.”

The five proposed sports would come in addition to the 28 Olympic sports in LA28’s initial sport program announced by the IOC in February 2022, including Aquatics, Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Canoe, Cycling, Equestrian, Fencing, Football (Soccer), Golf, Gymnastics, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Rowing, Rugby, Sailing, Shooting, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball and Wrestling.

LA28, like every organizing committee, has the opportunity but not the obligation to consider including new sports for its edition of the Olympic Games. This proposal comes after LA28’s Request for Information (RFI) process that opened to nine IOC-recognized International Federations (IF) in June 2022. 

Each sport participating in the RFI was evaluated on the IOC approved sport program evaluation criteria, developed to assess sport disciplines and potential new sports for the LA28 Olympic Games. This includes economic responsibility, gender equality, sport integrity, fan interest and youth relevance – recommendations of the Olympic Agenda 2020+5, the New Norm and the Olympic Charter.

“In building the Olympic sport program, we were willing to challenge the status quo and think differently about what’s possible for the Games in Los Angeles,” said LA28 CEO Kathy Carter. “We approached the process holistically and authentically, ensuring that our decisions were grounded in the Games’ commitment to fiscal responsibility. And we’ve landed on a bold and balanced proposal that will energize the Games with culturally relevant competition and boundless possibility.” 

Inclusion in LA28’s new Olympic sport proposal was supported by a holistic review of each sports’ ability to create a positive impact on the LA28 Games, while upholding LA28’s existing framework for reuse of venues and sport parks, allowing LA28 to maintain its people-first approach to delivering an unparalleled Games experience.

LA28's additional sports proposal will be reviewed and put forward by the IOC Executive Board for ratification at the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai on October 16, 2023. 

ABOUT LA28:

The LA28 Games will mark Los Angeles’ third time to host the Olympic Games, previously hosted in 1984 and 1932, and first time to host the Paralympic Games. Los Angeles will host the world’s most elite athletes in 2028 as it welcomes Paralympians and Olympians from around the world to compete on the biggest stage in sports. The LA28 Games are independently operated by a privately funded, non-profit organization with revenue from corporate partners, licensing agreements, hospitality and ticketing programs and a significant contribution from the International Olympic Committee.