With the 2024 Olympic games done, eyes have already moved onto the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Although many of the events you know and love will be present, there will be some changes from 2024.
The 2028 Olympics will feature six sports that weren’t played in 2024. These sports are flag football, baseball, softball, cricket, lacrosse and squash.
New 2028 Olympics sport one- flag football
For the first time in Olympic history, flag football will be played at the summer games. Football has always been a big sport in the US, but recently it has seen an increased global interest thanks to the NFLs efforts to make the sport global. Despite this team USA would be the overwhelming favorite.
Since the NFL is in its offseason this means team USA would be able to send NFL players. However, it’s important to remember that flag football is different from regular football. For example, there are no tight ends in flag football. So sorry Swifties, but Travis Kelce will be left at home. Despite the fact NFL players can participate many may prefer to rest during the summer. If that’s the case XFL players, college players or even NFL players on minimum deals could take their place. Regardless of who’s playing, the USA is leagues above everyone else.
Photo via Paris 2024
New 2028 Olympics sport two- baseball
Baseball was played in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. However, in 2024 it was left out of the Paris games. It will make its grand return in the 2028 Olympics. One complaint from 2020 was that since the MLB season was in action during the games, teams were without some of their best talents. Many are calling on MLB to expand the all star break like the WNBA does.
However, allowing MLB players to play does not necessarily give team USA an advantage. Team USA will get to run guys like Bobby Witt Jr. and Paul Skenes. However, other teams like team Japan, team Dominican Republic and team Venezuela would gain a boatload of talent. In the 2023 World Baseball Classic, which featured several MLB players, team Japan came out on top.
New 2028 Olympics sport three- softball
With the inclusion of baseball, softball was bound to be included as well. There are two professional softball leagues that compete with each other, the Women’s professional fastpitch and the association of fastpitch professionals. Between these two leagues there are eight teams.
However, many of the best softball players can be found at the college level. Expect many teams to be mixes of college and pro league players. Team Japan won gold for softball in 2020. Since then a 16 team softball league has started in Japan, meaning team Japan will be even more prepared.
New 2028 Olympics sport four- cricket
Cricket became a popular sport in the 1600s in Great Britain. The sport saw its lone Olympic appearance in 1900 when Great Britain beat France. However, since 1900 the sport grew in many British colonies like India. The sport has even seen an increase in interest in the US. The sport will make its Olympic return in 2028 and will likely be one of the most competitive sports, but with India being the favorite.
Photo via R/Cricket subreddit
New 2028 Olympics sport five- lacrosse
Lacrosse was played as far back as the 12th century by indigenous people in the United States and Canada. The sport was picked up by the settlers and has stayed a popular sport in these countries. Although the US and Canada are the countries most likely to go for gold, countries like Great Britain, Australia and Japan have seen lacrosse grow in their countries in recent years.
New 2028 Olympics sport six- squash
Like many sports, squash finds its roots in Great Britain. The players play in a four walled court where they take turns hitting the ball in hopes of preventing the other player from getting it. Basically, like tennis but inside a room. Squash is yet another sport that despite its roots in Britain one of their colonies ended up becoming better at it. This time it was Egypt, who is very likely the favorite to win gold. However, Britain has still been able to be good at squash so they can put up a fight as well.
