Rahul Dravid, who was a previous head coach of India, is very much in favor of adding cricket to the Olympic Games. He also announced that the Indian players were excited about being a part of Olympic events. Dravid was asked to speak in front of a panel during a discussion called “Cricket at the Olympics: Dawn of a new era”.
This event was intended to mark a key milestone for cricket and its fans around the world by commemorating the momentous decision taken by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to include cricket in Los Angeles Games 2028.
“I’ve already heard a few conversations in the dressing room. People are talking about the 2026 T20 World Cup, there is an ODI World Cup in 2027, and you hear people saying there is the Olympics in 2028,” Dravid said as quoted by PTI during the discussion.
“Players’ Enthusiasm for the Olympics”
Dravid pointed out that Olympic participation was discussed in the Indian team dressing room and that cricketers were hoping for Olympic glory as well as mingling with all sportspersons in the world.
“People are going to want to win that gold medal, stand on the podium, and be a part of the Games Village, a great sporting event, and interact with so many athletes.”
“As you get closer, I have no doubt that teams will be preparing and checking out facilities. They will take this seriously, and players will fight tooth and nail to be out there,” he added.
“You grow up watching the Olympics, seeing Carl Lewis winning the gold medal, watching the great athletes perform. You always want to be part of great events like this. The environment, the energy it’s a dream come true.”
Cricket in LA Olympics 2028
Dravid had high hopes for India’s double gold medal wins for both the men and women at the LA Olympics.
“The dream for me to have a fantastic cricket tournament, hopefully Indian men and women winning the gold which would be nice.”
“But more than that, I wish for everyone here… So many Indian fans would be able to come there to LA and support cricket, and show the rest of the world how big and great a sport cricket is,” he said.
“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to play, but I will make every effort to be in LA in some capacity or another. If not anything else, I will try to get a media job,” joked Dravid, who ended his tenure as India head coach after the recent T20 World Cup triumph.
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