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Rahul Dravid, the former Indian captain and coach, supported the inclusion of cricket at the Olympics at the recently launched India House at Paris 2024. The 51-year-old spoke about how cricket is “truly a great game” followed by fans all over the world, and it’s going to add to the spectacle of Los Angeles 2028, during a panel discussion in Paris.
Notably, cricket is one of five new sports added to the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028 alongside baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse, and squash. The decision was taken after the 141st session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Mumbai last year.
Cricket will be played in the T20I format at the Los Angeles 2028 in the men’s and women’s competitions with six teams each.
During the panel discussion on “Cricket at the Olympics: Dawn of a New Era” at the India House in Paris, Rahul Dravid said, “It always felt like cricket should be a part of this (Olympics). It is truly a great game. It is followed by so many people around the world. It is fantastic for someone like me who is now only a fan. It is truly phenomenal.”
To win a bronze medal is a phenomenal achievement: Rahul Dravid on Manu Bhaker
Rahul Dravid also hailed Manu Bhaker for winning a bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event at Paris 2024. At the India House in Paris, he said, “Manu's story is incredible after the disappointment of Tokyo Olympics, to come here and be able to get over that and compete and win a bronze is a phenomenal achievement.”
“It's lovely to come on a day that's special for Indian sports. These kinds of achievements take years of sacrifice, take a lot of hard work, resilience, and perseverance,” he added.
