Los Angeles has proposed five new sports for the programme for the 2028 Olympic Games - Baseball and Softball, Flag Football, Cricket, Lacrosse and Squash.
This is now set to be reviewed and ratified by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board and will be voted on during the 141st IOC Session, set to begin in Mumbai in India on Sunday, October 15th.
Speaking about the proposed new sports, LA 2028 chief executive Kathy Carter said, "In building the Olympic sport programme, we were willing to challenge the status quo and think differently about what’s possible for the Games in Los Angeles.
"We approached the process holistically and authentically, ensuring that our decisions were grounded in the Games’ commitment to fiscal responsibility.
"We’ve landed on a bold and balanced proposal that will energize the Games with culturally relevant competition and boundless possibility."
Cricket, which has been proposed to be contested in the Twenty20 format, has only previously featured at the Olympics in 1900.
ICC chairman Greg Barclay said: "We are delighted that LA28 have recommended cricket for inclusion in the Olympics.
"Whilst this is not the final decision, it is a very significant landmark towards seeing cricket at the Olympics for the first time in more than a century.
"I’d like to thank LA28 for their support during the new sport evaluation process over last two years and we look forward to the final decision being taken at the IOC Session, in India, during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup next week."
Lacrosse has officially been contested at two Olympics, in 1904 and 1908, and subsequently featured as a demonstration sport at the 1928, 1932 and 1948 editions.
For LA 2028 its sixes format has been proposed, and World Lacrosse said in a statement: "We are absolutely thrilled and honored by LA28’s decision to propose lacrosse for inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games. We are one huge step closer to a monumental milestone for our sport and international community.
"Lacrosse is globally played, accessible and equitable, with a unique origin and modern, youthful relevancy. We are on a path of ascendency, and will be a great partner for LA28 and the IOC.
"Reaching this stage in the process is a testament to the dedication of our players, coaches, officials, volunteers, administrators and lacrosse enthusiasts worldwide, who have tirelessly championed our sport.
"We eagerly await the IOC’s final decision, and look forward to the possibility of lacrosse being showcased on the world's biggest sporting stage, inspiring generations to come."
Squash is set to feature at the Olympics for the first time under the proposals, with the World Squash Federation (WSF) saying in a statement: "The WSF, US Squash and the Professional Squash Association welcome the decision by the LA28 Organizing Committee to recommend squash for inclusion in the LA 2028 Olympic sports programme.
"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."
Baseball and softball both featured at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, but were omitted from the Paris 2024 programme.
The five proposed sports would come in addition to the 28 on the LA 2028 initial sports programme announced by the IOC in February 2022 - aquatics, archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, canoeing, cycling, equestrian, fencing, football, golf, gymnastics, handball, hockey, judo, rowing, rugby sevens, sailing, shooting, skateboarding, sport climbing, surfing, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon, volleyball and wrestling.
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