Cricket returns to Olympic movement

Cricket is a step closer to regaining its place in the Olympic Games after the sport gained official recognition from the International Olympic Committee.

The IOC’s executive board have decided to bring the sport back into the ’Olympic Movement’ for the first time since it was included in the Paris Games of 1900.

That means there will be closer collaboration between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and IOC, boosting the sport’s profile in countries where it traditionally struggled for popularity.

ICC president Ray Mali said: “Our goal has been to become an international federation that is recognised by the IOC and we are pleased to have achieved this target.

“We want to play an active role in the Olympic Movement and we will be looking at ways in which we can work with the IOC for the benefit of cricket, sport and society in general.

“Cricket last featured in the Olympic Games in 1900. Maybe one day it will be right for cricket to return to the Olympic programme.”

Mali, along with ICC directors David Morgan and Tunku Imran, discussed the matter with IOC president Jacques Rogge in Lausanne when they met in October.