Former India head coach Rahul Dravid on July 28 revealed that players are excited about cricket's inclusion in the Los Angeles Olympics 2028. Dravid said that players have already started having serious conversations in the dressing room about playing in the LA Olympic Games and win a gold medal, stand on the podium.
"I've already heard a few conversations in the dressing room. People are talking about the 2026 T20 World Cup, there is an ODI World Cup in 2027, and you hear people saying there is the Olympics in 2028," Dravid said in during a panel discussion titled 'Cricket at the Olympics: Dawn of a New Era'as quoted as PTI.
"People are going to want to win that gold medal, stand on the podium, and be a part of the Games Village, a great sporting event, and interact with so many athletes.
"As you get closer, I have no doubt that teams will be preparing and checking out facilities. They will take this seriously, and players will fight tooth and nail to be out there," he added.
Dravid wants to be involved in LA Olympics 2028
At the India House in Paris, Dravid expressed his desire to be involved at the event whether it is with the team or as a commentator.
"The dream for me to have a fantastic cricket tournament, hopefully Indian men and women winning the gold which would be nice.
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"But more than that I wish for everyone here... So many Indian fans would be able to come there to LA and support cricket, and show the rest of the world how big and great a sport cricket is," he said.
"Unfortunately, I won't be able to play, but I will make every effort to be in LA in some capacity or another. If not anything else, I will try to get a media job," joked Dravid who watched India’s tennis veteran Rohan Bopanna and N Sriram Balaji’s match against French pair.
124 years since last cricket match at Olympics
The last time cricket was a part of the Olympics was in 1900 Games in Paris. Only Great Britain and France participated in the event. Great Britain won the gold whereas France settled for silver.
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