The MCC’s World Cricket Committee meeting in Auckland has recommended that serious consideration be given to asking the International Olympic Committee (I.O.C) to include Twenty20 Cricket in the 2024 Olympics.
As the sport becomes more popular in Ireland and the team strives to reach the highest level in the game, Cricket Ireland and no doubt the sport’s followers in this country, will have noted the MCC’s interest in pursuing the subject in greater detail.
Very early days yet but Ireland’s young cricketers of the future may well one day take part in an Olympic Cricket Tournament. After their meeting, the Committee issued this statement:
“The MCC World Cricket committee appreciates that a great deal of effort may be needed to lobby for the inclusion of cricket in the Olympic Games of 2024. The committee accepts that, were cricket to be played in the Olympics, there would be a short-term loss in income for the ICC, and therefore for dispersion to its members, but is impressed with the potential boost for the game worldwide if cricket were to be included. Furthermore, the committee advocates Twenty20 cricket as the format to be played at the Olympics, thereby providing the ‘pinnacle’ of that form of the sport.”
I.O.C President Jacques Rogge is a confirmed cricket fan and at the London 2012 Games said he would like to see cricket in the Olympics. He made the point strongly that it is a huge televised worldwide sport.
Rogge first outlined his support for the inclusion of 20/20 back in June 2011, a year after the IOC recognised the International Cricket Council (ICC) as an official global sporting body.
“We would welcome an application,” Rogge, said at the time adding:
“It’s an important, popular sport and very powerful on television. It’s a sport with a great tradition.”
