Flag football and squash are set to make their Olympics debut at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) also announced on Monday that baseball, softball, cricket and lacrosse are set to return for LA28.
Why it matters
The additions, organizers said, will showcase American sports to the world.
“Their inclusion will allow the Olympic movement to engage with new athlete and fan communities in the U.S. and globally,” said IOC President Thomas Bach.
The backstory
Baseball and softball were recently seen at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Cricket was last showcased on the Olympic stage in Paris Games of 1900 and lacrosse was featured at the Olympics in St. Louis, Missouri in 1904 and London in 1908.
-
What candidates can — and can't — say they do
-
Nonprofit's launching fundraiser to keep it afloat
-
USC study documents what residents want from trees
The selection of the sports is based on an evaluation criteria set by the IOC, which includes global appeal of a sport, gender equality and a sport’s commitment to upholding stringent integrity and fairness.
The announcement from the IOC also notes: "Skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing, all youth-focused sports, made their Olympic debut successfully at Tokyo 2020 and all of them have deep roots in California."
What else you should know
The Executive Board of the IOC also recommended the inclusion of modern pentathlon in the LA28 program since the horse riding component was replaced with obstacle riding to reduce costs. LA28 will also see the inclusion of weightlifting after the International Weightlifting Federation delegated anti-doping management to the International Testing Agency.
In all, 28 sports are included on the roster for all Olympic games, including fencing, taekwondo and sailing. Either the host country or an international federation can submit applications for a sport to be considered.
2028 Olympic Sports
- World Athletics
- World Rowing (FISA)
- Badminton World Federation (BWF)
- International Basketball Federation (FIBA)
- International Canoe Federation (ICF)
- Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)
- International Equestrian Federation (FEI)
- International Fencing Federation (FIE)
- Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)
- International Golf Federation (IGF)
- International Gymnastics Federation (FIG)
- International Handball Federation (IHF)
- International Hockey Federation (FIH)
- International Judo Federation (IJF)
- United World Wrestling (UWW)
- International Swimming Federation (FINA)
- World Rugby
- World Taekwondo (WT)
- International Tennis Federation (ITF)
- International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)
- International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF)
- World Archery Federation (WA)
- World Triathlon (TRI)
- World Sailing (WS)
- International Volleyball Federation (FIVB)
- International Surfing Association (ISA)
- World Skate (WSK)
- International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC)
