Gilchrist dreams of T20 at Olympics

[nikhil_99]

Adam Gilchrist is leading a player push for Twenty20 to be included in the 2020 Olympics, believing it is an essential step in securing the game's global future. With the start of the Beijing event less than a week away, Gilchrist says the cricket "pipedream" is a "potential reality" following the success of the new format and the Indian Premier League.

"It doesn't matter where the 2020 Olympic Games are held, but many of us who've experienced international Twenty20 cricket and the IPL are convinced that cricket should bid to become an Olympic sport in time for the Games," Gilchrist wrote in the Deccan Chronicle. Cricket was part of the 1900 Olympics before being cut, but last year it gained "recognition status" from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for two years.

http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/ci/content/current/story/363590.html

 

[Themer]

Hahaha 20/20 at 2020 I like it. I'd love to see it at the olympics.

 

[dhayalan]

If IOC add T20 cricket in the olympics then countries like china will quickly become a strong contender to challenge even the test playing nations in T20.

 

[nikhil_99]

Stephen Fleming, the former New Zealand captain, has joined Adam Gilchrist in promoting Twenty20 for the 2020 Olympics in a bid to spread the game throughout the world. Gilchrist raised the idea on Monday and says he has already received support from players in New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

While Fleming and Gilchrist have retired from internationals, they are both involved in the Indian Premier League and see huge potential in the Twenty20 format. "The Olympics would be the greatest vehicle to spread the game worldwide and it would be a logical fit," Fleming said in the Australian.

http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/ci/content/current/story/363691.html

 

[Cricketman]

I join them too! :cool:

 

[.::Stevo::.]

Sweet! Another Gold medal to the Australian Olympic tally board

 

[Insomniac]

Sweet! Another Gold medal to the Australian Olympic tally board

Not unless Zimbabwe play

*Jokes, I'm not flaming or trolling or whatever other bad things there are

 

[KBC]

Cricket has Existed in the olympics in 1900, And it's recently gaining status from the IOA, Sound good..hhmmmm..

 

[JD10]

it is a brillant idea but aussies would win

 

[Gilly Fan]

Steve Waugh, Yuvraj Singh, Sourav Ganguly and Stephen Fleming have all backed Gilly's idea.

http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/363699.html

I believe it is a good idea. Imagine if countries like America and China played. If they got it going over there, they could be the big power houses of the game in 50 years.

 

[ZoraxDoom]

I'm in.

And I'm warning you now, that medal is Bangladesh's :cool:

 

[KBC]

I can even take it if it's in the winter olympics, next year..

 

[SaiSrini]

Great idea. I am for it! Will help promote the game to non-cricket playing countries

 

[irottev]

I'm all for it. I think it should replace the Champions Trophy tournament or the 20/20 World Cup for that year if it is in a year one of those events is in.

 

[lightbulb]

Mark Waugh has joinedin as well now. T20 would be ideal-growth of the sport, more countries getting involved in the game, short 3 hour games, I don't see why cricket wasnt included some time ago!