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Twenty20 makes Olympics bid

Sunday, June 20 2004

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has outlined a plan, which aims at including the newest version of the game - Twenty20 - in the Olympics. Following a recommendation by them, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has already approached the International Olympic Committee with the request.

If the campaign does bear fruit, Twenty20 could be a part of the 2012 Games, for which London is one of the five cities running to be the hosts. Cricket was last part of the Olympics back in 1900, when Great Britain beat France to take the gold medal.

Twenty20 cricket was a huge success in England during its inaugral season last year, brining in 250,000 specatators, thus assuring a return this season. The format has been successfull emulated by South Africa in their first-class circuit, achieving similar results. The USA too now has its own version, called Pro Cricket, starting this month.

Twenty20 cricket is also set to play its first international match in August, when England's women take on New Zealand, and then next summer, the men are planning an Ashes curtain-raiser.

ECB chief executive Tim Lamb is optimistic about the campaign. "We are exploring the possibility of making Twenty20 an Olympic Sport. We have had preliminary discussions with the ICC about the possibility of them making a case for Twenty20 to be incorporated at the 2012 Olympics, particularly if London is successful in its bid. If that's too soon, perhaps further down the line. Twenty20 in 2020, who knows?"

Posted by Sudeep