The 2024 Paris Olympics have officially wrapped up, closing another exciting chapter in Olympic history.
Our athletes have once again fought valiantly, showing the world what Malaysia is capable of and uniting the nation in support. However, one piece is still missing—our first Olympic gold.
However, according to BBC, 5 new sport event will be introduce into the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics, including one of our strongest sports.
New Sports Set for the Next Olympics
1. Cricket
Cricket made its sole Olympic appearance in the 1900 Paris Games. After a 128-year absence, it will return to the Olympic stage in Los Angeles, featuring the Twenty20 format, a widely popular version of the game internationally.
2. Lacrosse
Lacrosse was last seen in the 1904 and 1908 Olympics, with Canada claiming gold both times. The 2028 Los Angeles Games will introduce the Sixes format of lacrosse, which is played with six players on each team.
3. Baseball/Softball
Baseball was an Olympic sport from 1992 to 2008 before being temporarily removed. It made a return for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but was left out of the Paris Games. Now, it’s set to make another comeback in Los Angeles.
4. Flag Football
Flag football, a non-contact version of American football, has gained significant traction in recent years. After persistent advocacy, it will make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles.
5. Squash
Squash will finally make its long-awaited debut at the Olympics in 2028, a moment Malaysian sports enthusiasts have been eagerly anticipating. Despite its rich history and fierce competition at the professional level—dating back to the founding of the World Squash Federation in 1967—the sport has never before been included in the Olympic Games.
A Golden Opportunity in Squash?
For Malaysians, squash is synonymous with world champion Datuk Nicol Ann David, who won the World Squash Championships eight times and held the world No. 1 ranking for an unprecedented 108 consecutive months until September 2015.
Nicol’s legacy continues through rising stars like Sivasangari Subramaniam, who won the London Classic in April 2023, earning Malaysia its first major women’s squash title since Nicol’s era.
Why Is Squash Finally an Olympic Sport?
Since 2014, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has allowed host countries to add new sports to the Olympic program temporarily. This rule has paved the way for both returning and new sports to be included in the Games.
For instance, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics introduced karate, baseball/softball, skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing. The Paris Olympics kept the latter three and added breaking (breakdancing) as a new event.
With these additions, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics promises to be an exciting and potentially golden opportunity for Malaysia.
