ICC Olympic chief Ian Watmore says the Olympics and cricket could "spark something special" ©Getty Images

International Cricket Council (ICC) Olympic Working Group chairman Ian Watmore has claimed a partnership with the Olympics could "spark something special", after the sport announced its intention to be part of Los Angeles 2028.

Only once has cricket been included on the Olympic programme, 121 years ago, but the ICC is hopeful the sport can be added in seven years time.

Writing in a blog for insidethegames, Watmore says: "There is a tremendous opportunity here for a partnership that would spark something very special for cricket, for the Olympic family and for Los Angeles 2028."

Watmore pointed to the commercial success of cricket in parts of the world the Olympics has yet to crack, highlighting ways in which the sport can aid the Olympics.

"The digital engagement figures for Tokyo 2020 shows there is great and growing interest in India for the Olympic Games," Watmore writes.

"Cricket can help turbocharge that.

"The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 delivered more than 4.6 billion video views, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 garnered 1.1 billion video views and 5.4 billion viewing minutes in India alone!

Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles has hosted cricket matches before, and it could once again when the Olympics arrive in 2028 ©Getty Images
Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles has hosted cricket matches before, and it could once again when the Olympics arrive in 2028 ©Getty Images

"The opportunity for these cricket-crazy fans to see their heroes competing for an Olympic medal is tantalising.

"Greater engagement in South Asia is an exciting prospect for the whole Olympic family. 

"Imagine a country like India with a population of more than 1.3 billion people glued to their TV screens watching cricket at Los Angeles 2028 and experiencing other Olympic sports for the first time. 

"It could inspire a generation of Indian divers, modern pentathletes, skateboarders or cyclists!"

The Olympics will also help broaden cricket's horizons, especially in the United States, which Watmore says is an emerging market for the sport.

"We want more of the world to be able to love and enjoy cricket and there is no doubt the Olympics will help us in that ambition as we target less traditional markets like the United States - our number one growth market for our next cycle.

"Already, we have a strong fanbase in the US with an estimated 30 million fans and, for ICC events, it is our third-largest broadcast market. 

"But we believe it has the potential to be a mainstream sport in America, and the Olympics can help deliver that long-term ambition."

Sports looking to be included on the Olympic programme must prove they can attract a younger audience ©Getty Images
Sports looking to be included on the Olympic programme must prove they can attract a younger audience ©Getty Images

The Los Angeles 2028 programme is set to be finalised at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Beijing in February 2022.

Baseball, softball, lacrosse, surfing, flag football and karate are among the sports aiming to be included. 

Among the factors considered when selecting the new sports will be gender balance, their appeal to a young audience and their universal appeal.

As stated in the IOC Agenda 2020, an approximate limit of 10,500 athletes at a Summer Olympics is now applied, which will be factored into the decision-making process.

The IOC is also keen to limit the building of new venues, which could cause trouble for cricket's intention of being included at Los Angeles 2028.

The full blog can be read here.