Five Sports Have Been Added to 2028 Olympic Games in LA
Five sports have been added to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
In three years' time, the eyes of the sporting world will turn to the United States, as the Summer Games return to to the City of Angels. Athletes last competed in Los Angeles in 1984, although the Olympics have been held elsewhere in the USA more recently, with Atlanta hosting the 1996 Games.
For the next Olympics, there will be a notable change with five new sports added to the programme. Fittingly for a Games in America, baseball and softball will return.
Baseball first featured in the Olympics in 1904, while softball made its debut at the Atlanta Games in 1996.
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Although neither sport was included in the in 2012, 2016, or 2024 Olympics, they were present for the Games in Tokyo.
Cricket will make just its second ever Olympic appearance, having last been contested in 1900.
Teams will compete in a T20 format, though it remains to be seen whether it attracts the biggest international stars will take part.
Flag football will make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles, highlighting the rapid growth of the sport in recent years.
Unlike traditional American football, players do not tackle opponents to the ground, instead, the defensive team must remove a flag or flag belt from the ball carrier.
The NFL has confirmed that its players will be eligible to compete, raising the possibility of some high-profile names. For Great Britain's women, the inclusion of flag football will be a boost following their European championship victories in 2023 and 2025.
After a 120-year absence, lacrosse will return to the Olympics in a sixes format, compared with the usual 10 players per side.
Lacrosse is the oldest organised sport in North America, with roots dating back to the 12th century.
Finally, squash will make its long-waited Olympic debut in Los Angeles. Team GB will have high hopes of medalling the in the sport, given the strong record that the nations' that at world championship level.
Currently, the only sport to be dropped from the 2028 Olympics is breakdancing.
Organisers chose to omit the sport in 2023, before the viral content it produced at the Paris Games.
The 2024 event was overshadowed by the Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn, known as Ray Gun.
She failed to score any points in her three battles and received significant abuse online, which she said she was "devastated" by.
James Taylor