On International Olympic Day, June 23, 2025, ICC Chairman Jay Shah championed the unifying and inspiring power of sports, particularly highlighting cricket's historic return to the Olympic Games. This year's celebration carries extra significance as it aligns with the "Let's Move?" campaign, a global initiative championed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in collaboration with the World Health Organization, designed to encourage people to embrace physical activity and lead healthier lives.
Jay Shah, along with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has been a vocal advocate for integrating cricket into the Olympic program. After a long hiatus of 128 years, cricket is set to make its comeback at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. This inclusion marks a significant milestone for the sport, opening doors to a broader global audience and potentially driving increased participation at the grassroots level. The format for the LA28 Olympics will be T20 for both men's and women's tournaments, with six teams each.
Shah emphasized the unique ability of sports to transcend boundaries, fostering unity, inspiration, and a sense of upliftment. He took to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to share his thoughts, urging individuals to invite someone to join them in a walk, run, or even a friendly cricket match. His message resonated with the core values of Olympic Day, which commemorates the establishment of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894 and promotes the importance of sports and physical activity worldwide.
Echoing Shah's sentiments, the BCCI also released a statement acknowledging cricket's inclusion in the Olympic movement as a "historic leap" for the sport. The organization further promoted the "Let's Move" campaign, encouraging people to "pick your +1 and move," emphasizing that collective movement can pave the way for a healthier and more united India.
The vision extends beyond merely participating in the Olympics. Jay Shah and the BCCI have expressed a strong desire to bring the Olympic Games to India, potentially for the 2036 edition. Ahmedabad is being considered as a potential host city. Hosting the Olympics in India would not only showcase the nation's sporting infrastructure but also inspire a new generation of athletes and further promote the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect.
The "Let's Move?" campaign encourages simple activities like walking, running, dancing, or skipping, urging participants to share their experiences on social media. This initiative aligns perfectly with the broader goals of Olympic Day, which aims to combat inactivity and promote well-being through sports and physical activity.
Cricket's journey to Olympic inclusion has been a long and arduous one. It was featured once before in the Paris Games of 1900. The sport has gained prominence in multi-sport events such as the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. Its inclusion in the Los Angeles Olympics 2028 marks a new chapter.
