The next 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles will feature several brand-new sports, as well as the return of some sports that haven’t been included in decades.
One sport making its debut as an optional sport is flag football, a limited-contact version of American football.
The other will be squash, which will be played in the Olympics for the first time after years of the World Squash Federation hoping to get it included.
An “optional sport” in the Olympics is one that the host city can choose to add to the Games, in addition to the mandatory core sports set by the International Olympic Committee.
Several sports will also be returning to the Olympics after not being played for several years.
Baseball and softball will be returning to the games, which were previously played in the Olympics between 1992 to 2008 as well as in 2020.
Cricket will also be played at the games for the first time since 1900. Unlike before when it was played as a two-innings-a-side competition, the sport has been proposed to be played in a limited-overs Twenty20 format for the event.
Lacrosse will also be returning for the first time since 1948, which is proposed to be played in the format of Lacrosse Sixes, which is a fast-paced, compact version of the sport.
These additional sports were proposed by the LA28 Organising Committee in 2023 and then approved by the International Olympic Committee.
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“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,” LA28 Chairperson Casey Wasserman previously said.
“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.”
While these new sports will be included in the next Games, some sports that were featured in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 will not be included in LA.
The sport of breaking, the official name for breakdancing, was featured as an optional sport for the first time in Paris, but it will not be part of the program in 2028.
Although some breaking fans expressed disappointment that it would not be included, the USA team said they were happy with their 2024 appearance.
“I’m just focused on the Paris 2024 Olympics,” the Team USA’s Victor Montalvo, said, per AZ Central. “For us, it was shocking that we were even in the Olympics because we never expected it at all. So, we’re just appreciative.”
Karate, motorsport and kickboxing were also reported to have been rejected from inclusion in the next Games.
Newsweek reached out to LA28 via email for commment outside of regular working hours.
