Cricket given Olympic lifeline

Cricket will make its first Olympic appearance since 1900 should Rome win the bid to host the 2024 Games, according to the president of the Italian Cricket Federation (FCI).

Including a Twenty20 tournament has been touted for future editions of the Games, but it has yet to be selected by the International Olympic Committee.

Legends Shane Warne and Sachin Tendulkar have lobbied for the sport to be included in the global showpiece and their wishes could be answered in eight years.

Under Olympic regulations the host city is able to nominate five sports for inclusion in its Games and Simon Gambino says cricket would be on Rome’s list.

“If Rome hosts the Olympics, cricket will be included,” the FCI president is quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

“We had a firm commitment from the organising committee.”

Rome is bidding to host the 2024 Games, while Paris, Los Angeles and Budapest are also in the running.