Pomona to host cricket’s Olympic return

CALIFORNIA, USA (CMC):

THE LA 2028 local organising committee (LOC) announced the venue for cricket’s long-awaited return to the Olympic Games yesterday.

The Fairgrounds in Pomona, southern California, has been confirmed as the host for cricket’s return from a 128-year-long hiatus at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

The excitement around cricket’s Olympic revival has grown since its inclusion was confirmed, and the International Olympic Committee executive board finalised details on April 9, including player quotas and the number of teams.

Both the men’s and women’s T20 competitions will feature six teams each, with a 90-player quota per gender, allowing squads of up to 15 players per nation. The full schedule will be announced closer to the Games.

ICC Chair Jay Shah praised the achievement for the sport, which many believed deserved its place at the Olympics.

“We welcome the announcement of the venue for cricket at LA28, as it marks a major step in our preparations for the sport’s Olympic return. Cricket’s inclusion is a fantastic opportunity to reach new audiences through the fast-paced T20 format.”

Cricket’s Olympic return was confirmed in October 2023, alongside other new sports such as baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash.

The T20 format has previously appeared in multi-sport events, including the Asian Games (2010, 2014, 2023) and the 2022 Commonwealth Games (women’s T20).

Other venues were also announced by the LOC yesterday with surfing at Trestles Beach, a renowned collection of surfing spots between northern San Diego County and southern San Clemente in Orange County, about an hour’s drive south of downtown Los Angeles. It formerly hosted a World Surfing League competition and attracts about 2.5 million visitors every year.

Olympic baseball will be held at Dodger Stadium, while squash will make its Olympic debut on the Universal Studios lot, famous as the setting for movies and television shows.

Beach volleyball is going to Long Beach after negotiations fell through with the city of Santa Monica. Triathlon is moving from Long Beach to the famed Venice Beach on the west side of LA.

Joining the sports in Long Beach are target shooting, at a temporary indoor range at the city’s convention centre. Sport climbing will take place outside in the parking lot. Already planned for Long Beach is the new event of coastal rowing as well as marathon swimming.

Venice Beach will also be the starting location for the marathon and cycling road courses. The course layouts and finishing sites for both events will be announced later.

Boxing returns to the Olympic programme with preliminary matches at the Peacock Theater across from the Crypto.com Arena, which will host the final stages in downtown LA. Weightlifting will also be at Peacock, while artistic gymnastics and trampoline will be in the Crypto.com Arena.

Volleyball will be at Honda Center in Anaheim, about 27 miles from downtown Los Angeles.

The city of Carson will host archery at Dignity Health Sports Park after the Rugby Sevens tournament. Shotgun shooting will be in south El Monte, about 14 miles from downtown LA.

Equestrian is set for Santa Anita racetrack in suburban Arcadia, which hosted the sport during the 1984 Los Angeles Games.

Rhythmic gymnastics will be at Galen Center on the University of Southern California campus, along with badminton.

The Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area in the San Fernando Valley north of downtown LA will host 3x3 basketball, as well as modern pentathlon, BMX freestyle, BMX racing, skateboarding and skateboarding street.