Monday 4th August 2008
Gilchrist backs Twenty20 for 2020
Former Australia wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist believes Twenty20 is key to cricket finally reclaiming a place in the Olympic Games.
Cricket was granted 'recognition status' by the International Olympic Committee last year, and Gilchrist sees the 2020 Games as a fitting time for the shortest form of the game to take its place in the programme.
Gilchrist wrote in the Deccan Chronicle: "I believe the Olympic Games is the vehicle the sport should use to aggressively sell the message of our sport to all 202 competing Olympic nations, so our sport is strong and robust in countries where it is currently played and exciting and ground-breaking in countries who haven't yet caught the cricket bug."
Gilchrist, who played for the Deccan Chargers in the hugely successful Indian Premier League, added: "The Olympic movement knows it needs to increase its presence in the Asian subcontinent as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh contribute nearly 22% of the world's population.
"In theory, this is a win-win for the Olympic movement and the ICC and its members."
Cricket is likely to face competition from sports such as baseball, golf and karate should the ICC decide to launch a formal campaign for inclusion in future Games.
The sport has not featured at an Olympics since 1900.
It is understood Gilchrist's stance has the full support of Cricket Australia, the game's governing body in his homeland.
