Following its remarkable triumph at the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games, cricket is set to make a triumphant comeback on the Olympic stage, having been officially sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee on Monday.
The inclusion of cricket, featuring both men’s and women’s T20 formats, signifies the sport’s long-awaited return to the Olympics since 1900.
Although cricket enthusiasts worldwide are eagerly anticipating this historic achievement of Olympic inclusion, it may come as a surprise that Indian batsman Virat Kohli, affectionately known as King Kohli, played a pivotal role in the sport’s participation in the Olympics.
Is Virat Kohli’s Worldwide Popularity The Reason?
Virat Kohli’s legendary worldwide reputation is so influential that it couldn’t be ignored even at the 141st session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), where they made the momentous choice to incorporate cricket in the Olympics.
While announcing the massive decision, Niccolo Campriani, president of the LA Local Organising Committee said, “Think [about] my friend here Virat. He’s the third-most followed athlete in the world on social media with 314 million followers.”
He emphasized that we all acknowledge the vital significance of maintaining a robust online presence to ensure the continued relevance of the games for younger generations. Cricket, in particular, presents a distinctive opportunity to achieve this goal.
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King Kohli’s Stardom
Kohli’s global influence is so extensive that even individuals who aren’t typically associated with cricket recognize him as a legendary athlete. Boasting an impressive track record of surpassing 25,000 international runs, achieving 77 centuries, and creating countless memorable moments in his capacities as a captain, cricketer, and prominent societal figure, Kohli has secured a special place in the hearts of sports enthusiasts worldwide.
Kohli serves as a worldwide representative for the sport, and in May, he achieved the distinction of being the first Indian to amass 250 million followers on Instagram. On a global scale, he’s only behind football legends Cristiano Ronaldo (with 585 million) and Lionel Messi (with 464 million) in terms of Instagram followers.
Kohli’s influence and superstar status have reached across the globe, with even Campriani acknowledging his remarkable reach and impact.
Cricket’s Comeback After Over A Century
Cricket is set to return to the Olympic stage at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, marking its comeback after an absence of more than a century. The decision to include this sport in the Los Angeles Olympics was officially approved during the 141st International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session held in Mumbai.
In addition to cricket, the LA 2028 program will also feature squash, lacrosse, flag football, and baseball/softball. It’s worth mentioning that the inclusion of these sports did not receive unanimous support, as two IOC members voted against it.
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Feature image designed by Saudamini Seth
Sources: Hindustan Times, Times Of India, Indian Express
Find the blogger: Palak Dogra
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