The 2024 Paris Olympics drew to a close on Sunday, August 11, but already fans are looking ahead to the 2028 edition of the Games.
The baton was officially passed in the closing ceremony on Sunday at the Stade de France, with some huge changes to key events already announced with Los Angeles hosting the 34th Olympiad, 44 year after the Californian city hosted the 1984 Games.
All the ‘traditional’ Olympic events have been included in the schedule, including gymnastics, swimming and track and field events.
However, there will be one sport that won’t feature in L.A. despite only making its Olympic debut in Paris this summer.
Breaking will be no more at LA in 2028
Breakdancing has not been included on the schedule for the 2028 Games, a decision that was taken before this summer’s Olympics had begun.
Breaking made its Olympic debut on Friday, 9 August, with the B-girls event followed by the B-boys competition on Saturday.
Japan took gold in the B-girls event while Canada came out on top in the B-boys.
The breaking competition did draw criticism from some viewers though, largely due to the performance of Australian competitor Rachael Gunn, known as Raygun.
The 36-year-old was forced to defend herself after her unorthodox routine – which included a kangaroo hop and the sprinkler – went viral on social media.
Speaking after she failed to score a single point in any of her three breaking battles, Raygun expressed her disappointment that breaking won’t feature at the 2028 Games.
“It was disappointing it was decided that it wouldn’t be in L.A., particularly before we even had a chance to show it,” she said.
Boxing may also be withdrawn
The boxing event at the Olympics was previously run by the International Boxing Association (IBA), but the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stripped them of official recognition after they failed to implement governance and finance reforms.
Another issue surrounded the IBA’s decision to allow Russian competitors to compete at the World Championships – against IOC guidelines.
The IOC has run Olympic boxing in both Tokyo and Paris – but it will refuse to do so in Los Angeles. The row has raged throughout the Paris Games.
Boxing, therefore, needs a global body to gain global recognition to take over the administration of the event, or face being left off the Olympics calendar entirely. World Boxing was created in 2023 and has 37 members, but has not yet been officially recognised by the IOC.
Speaking at a press event in Paris about the future of boxing, IOC president Thomas Bach – who leaves his role in March 2025 – said: “During the course of next year [we will decide]. As soon as possible. But we cannot wait longer than the end of next year.”
In addition, the IOC and IBA have been involved in a public dispute over the participation of female boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, who both won gold medals in their respective weight categories in Paris.
At present, a 2025 deadline has been set for boxing to prove to the International Olympic Committee it has cleaned up its act behind the scenes.
Which sports are returning in LA 2028?
Cricket
The 2028 Olympics will see the return of cricket after a 128-year absence. Cricket has only featured once at the Olympics (in 1900) and will be played in a Twenty20 format.
Baseball and Softball
Making their return at the 2028 LA Games, perhaps due to their popularity in the United States, are baseball and softball. Absent at London, Rio and Paris these sports are now set to make their return in LA.
Lacrosse
Another sport popular in North America, will return in Los Angeles which hasn’t been included in an Olympiad since 1908.
Which sports are set to feature for the first time in 2028?
Flag football
Set to be introduced in Los Angeles with the sport drawing similarities to American football and the NFL.
Squash
Also set to be make its Olympic debut, played inside a four-walled court with red lines on all walls. Squash has never previously appeared at the Olympic Games although it was a demonstration sport at the Summer Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018.
