Olympic Recognition Would ‘dilute’ Cricket’s Value says ICC President

The newly-appointed International Cricket Council (ICC) President Mustafa Kamal has distanced the sport from making an Olympic Games bid, check by saying the sport’s value would be “diluted” in the Games.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) gave the ICC full Olympic recognition in February 2010, medstore which opened the door to cricket entering the Games programme.

ICC associates have also been largely in favour of a Twenty20 format being included into the Olympics, order but Kamal has seemingly rejected the idea.

Speaking to ESPN Cricinfo, Kamal said: “We have debated it a lot, whether we should go to Olympics.

“Football sends B, C or D teams to Olympics, so what will we gain by sending B, C or D team from cricket? We feel that our value will be diluted if we go there. Cricket has a legacy, it has importance.

“Cricket takes time. Something like a 100m run takes nine seconds. I might need 11 seconds, so you tell me how you can send so many countries and play such a lengthy game in the Olympics?”

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) would face problems with timing if the sport was ever to reach the Olympic Games.

The domestic season is at the same time as the Olympic Games and could provide logistical issues for home Test match series.