The International Olympic Committee has announced that in the summer of 2028, five new sports will be added to the Olympic Games: women’s softball, men’s baseball, and women’s and men’s lacrosse, flag football, cricket, and squash. These sports being added to the Summer Olympics is a big deal, according to the Olympic Committee, for the growth of the games.
The Olympic movement played a key role in bringing these sports to the Olympics. The committee wants to build a peaceful and better world by educating young people through sports without discrimination. These five sports are incorporating new athletes and fan communities in the United States and globally. Many of these sports have come so far and being added to the Olympics has contributed greatly to their growth. These sports have already evolved tremendously since they were first introduced, but BSM students see their addition to the Olympics as a revolutionary achievement. It provides athletes with opportunities to achieve their dreams and participate in the games. “I think it helps the younger generation just have a goal, and if they want to get to the Olympics, they have that goal, and it can help them get better and grow the sport entirely,” senior Gus Bell said.
Pro athletes represent their schools, their cities, and their country. Some of these athletes have dreamt of playing for their country their entire careers. Hundreds of young athletes look up to them, aspiring to achieve the same level of skill as their role models. It will grow the game and allow many people to see just how competitive these sports are. The inclusion of these sports will enhance the experience of the games and the growth of the sports. “I think it’s amazing because it puts those sports on a bigger stage, so then more kids can look up to the people who play those sports and they can have aspirations of doing that themselves,” junior Bailey Gray said.
Many Benilde-St. Margaret’s students participating in one of these five sports, especially those who aim to continue and compete at the collegiate level, are very excited about what this means for the sport. For younger athletes who are still figuring out what they want to participate in, this plays a significant role in their future and strikes a bigger audience for student-athletes. “I think for how many sports are in the Olympics already and for them to not be there already is a huge accomplishment,” Bell said.