The Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games are set to make history with an update to their sports lineup. For the first time, fans worldwide will see flag football and squash sitting alongside other sports like baseball/softball, cricket, and a dynamic version of lacrosse known as Sixes.
This fresh mix of traditional and modern sports hopes to bring new levels of excitement and competition to the Olympic stage.
IOC Officially Approves New Sports for LA28 Olympics
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recently announced it agreed to add some intriguing new sports to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. They said “yes” to baseball/softball, cricket (but the fast-paced T20 version), flag football, lacrosse (in the Sixes style), and squash.
This decision came after the LA28 Organizing Committee suggested the sports. The IOC’s top team checked them out and approved the idea, so they asked everyone at the 141st Session of the IOC to vote. They all agreed to add the sports to the 2028 Olympic Games.
While some sports will be played for the first time, baseball/softball, cricket, and lacrosse aren’t completely new to the Olympics. They were part of the Games before, with baseball/softball last playing in Tokyo 2020, cricket way back in Paris 1900, and lacrosse last seen in London in 1908.
But 2028 will be the big Olympic debut for flag football and squash. Flag football is getting a lot of buzz, especially since American football is huge in the US.
Expanding Global Appeal and Evolving Olympic Events
The National Football League (NFL) isn’t just about the big games in the United States; it’s also working hard to make football a global favorite. By focusing on flag football, which is similar to the tackle version but safer, they’re hoping it will catch on worldwide. They’ve already taken steps to spread the sports by recently adding regular season games in Europe and South America.
Some athletes who have made a name in the NFL are already looking forward to competing in flag football at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) also announced it will keep modern pentathlon in the games but with a twist – they’re swapping horse riding for obstacle racing.
Also, weightlifting isn’t going anywhere; it’ll be part of the 2028 Olympics thanks to some new rules about drug testing and penalties. Boxing, however, is in the air right now as the committee debates whether to keep it in 2028.
With all these new sports making their Olympic debut, especially flag football and squash, fans could start to place their winning bets on which teams or athletes will come out on top in Los Angeles. The excitement around these additions is making the LA28 Olympics a hot topic for those who enjoy predicting the outcomes of global sporting events.
The Takeaway
By adding new sports to the schedule, the Olympics continues its expansion in an effort to reach new audiences. Already, the Paris Olympics this summer will debut three new sports – surfing, skateboarding, and sport climbing. With the addition of sports like flag football and squash in 2028, the LA Games games will not just be about tradition but also innovation.
