Big push

Cricket could feature in the Olympics for the first time since 1900 after organizers of the 2028 Los Angeles Games recommended its inclusion.

LA28 listed Twenty20 cricket as one of the proposed 'new' sports alongside baseball/softball, flag football - a non-contact version of American gridiron football - lacrosse and squash.

There is no room though for breakdancing, which will make its Olympic debut at next year's Paris Games.

The choice of the sports still needs approval from the International Olympic Committee.

Cricket last featured at the 1900 Paris Olympics, when a team from Britain beat a side representing France.

The final choice of which sports are retained for 2028 will be voted on at the IOC Session on Monday in Mumbai, one of the hotbeds of the sport, as India hosts the men's 50-over Cricket World Cup.

The International Cricket Council welcomed the decision to propose cricket, with chairman Greg Barclay describing it as a "very significant landmark."

The ICC's proposal is for men's and women's T20 competitions - the shortest form of the international game.

The NFL, which governs American football, backed the flag football bid.

Its version of flag football involves five players per side, on a smaller pitch and contact is not allowed - in place of tackling, players need to pull a flag off the person carrying the ball.

NFL officials have backed the inclusion of players from their league taking part in the Olympics, raising the prospect of a grid-iron "dream team."

"The timing works in July, prior to the start of training camp so that opportunity could exist," said NFL executive Peter O'Reilly.

Squash, which has mounted a long campaign to be included in the Olympics, was also celebrating being recommended for 2028.

Its governing body World Squash said: "The decision is a significant and exciting milestone in squash's history as the sport nears inclusion in the Olympic Games for the first time."

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE