Cricket as an Olympic sport has been discussed in the news off and on for many years. Logistics for organizing a sport like cricket were complicated, the number of teams requiring the number of grounds and the time taken for a cricket match in the traditional format was overwhelming. With the introduction of Twenty20 format, things look a little different and time constraints seem to have been overcome for cricket to make a comeback as an Olympic sport, after 120 years when ignorant players, not knowing they were Olympians, played a cricket match in 1900. (cricinfo)

The world’s first (and till date only) Olympic cricket match poster
Source: Cricinfo

And so ended the competition. Neither side seemed aware that they had taken part in the Olympics, and the match was only retrospectively formally recognised as being an Olympic contest in 1912, when the International Olympic Committee met to compile the definitive list of all events in the five modern Olympiads up to that point. By the time of the St Louis Games in 1904 cricket had been forgotten.

And in a recent ICC directive to BCCI, among other points mentioned are that BCCI should meet with the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) (the actual T20 format organizers, who had hoped to redefine Indian cricket and are now in trouble for daring to end BCCI’s monopoly). ICL has requested a recognition approval from ICC, who in turn have directed them to meet BCCI. Yes, the same BCCI who have been continuously victimizing ICL players (link), anyway thats a whole different post.

Rediff reports that, apart from these directives,

The ICC also discussed the possibility of cricket being part of a future Olympic Games.

“It was agreed that ICC management continue research on the matter and present to the Board at a later date.

“If cricket wished to be part of the 2020 Olympic Games then it would have to make an application to the International Olympic Committee before 2013.”

So after India’s best ever run in Olympics this year, when sports other than cricket have been getting a long overdue recognition, what do you think is in store for cricket as an Olympic sport?

Pros – Cricket is a sport, like soccer, volleyball, field hockey and so many others. And the ultimate joy of standing on an Olympic podium for a gold medal is exhilarating. Just imagine a Indo-Pak/Indo-Aus final T20 match for an Olympic gold medal.

Cons – With the amount of politics we have in zone based selections, the underlying illegal betting, and our never ending madness in the sport that tends to overshadow other important sports in our country, is it good for cricket to be in Olympics or not?

What say you?

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Abhinav Bindra, returned home not only a hero but also a target, so he say on his blog. [Bindra blog] [via]

“Chooooo chweeeeeet”, says President Prathiba Patil
img: via Hindu

After Abhinav won the first gold medal ever for India, life was supposed to be all hunky dory. Then he met the President of India who insisted on pulling his cheeks like a true desi aunty. In fact, this photo captures something so desi, yet so common in the des and abroad even Presidents and world champion gold medalists are not immune to it.

Once Abhinav was able to feel his cheeks again, his life took another turn when he received “Z plus” security from the government. Of course, he seems to shrug it off with the same nonchalance he displayed after winning an Olympic gold medal.

Another interesting fact for our U.S. readers, Abhinav is an University of Colorado alumni [wiki] and practiced in Colorado Springs for the Olympic. [Rediff]

The Olympics is not all about medals. It’s also about competing, and upsets. The world of boxing saw one today as Indian pugilist Akhil Kumar defeated world champion Russian Sergey Vodapoyanov in the 54 kg category to enter the medal round. The two other Kumars of the boxing contingent, Vijender and Jitender are also still in the hunt. [Sify]

In-depth coverage of the boxing contingent. [UD]

For all the praise (deservedly) heaped on Abhinav Bindra, this statement by his father disturbs me. [TOI]

Silent killer, as described by his father, he is the one who spotted his son’s talent when Abhinav was 5 years old. “He kept a water balloon on our maid’s head and began shooting, knowing little that a slight mistake could have proved fatal. But his aim was so perfect that I couldn’t think about anything else but make him a pro,” says AS Bindra.

While one cannot fault a 5 year old for indulging in above activity, Abhinav’s old man is either exaggerating or is a modern day Herman Gessler.

Either way, I guess the maid should be thankful Abhinav was not practicing to be a boxing champ.

The U.S. men’s gymnasts team was not expected to win a medal but came away with a bronze after almost leading the contest at one stage. [Chron]

Bhavsar solid in medal performance
img: via Chron

In the absence of stars Paul Hamm and Morgan Hamm because of injury, the US men’s gymnasts team was not expected to compete for a medal. It was Paul Hamm’s injury that put Raj Bhavsar through to the Olympics. [UD Link]

The US team was actually in the lead in the beginning stages.

The U.S. men, fueled by an early turn on vault, the highest-scoring event under the open-ending scoring system, actually led after three rotations and were second entering their final two events.

Then the inexperience at this level started to show.

Potential cracks in the façade became apparent on floor, and it appeared the final break may have come on pommel horse, where Kevin Tan straddled the horse toward the end of his routine and received a score of 12.775.

But a spectacular performance saw them end with a bronze.

But Artemev, who was left off the team because of his penchant for falling off the horse, his best event, came through with a score of 15.35 to salvage the bronze.

Raj Bhavsar anchored the team with consistent performances in all areas.

The Americans were fueled early on by the bold, rock-solid performances of a squad that included Houston gymnasts Jonathan Horton and Raj Bhavsar,………………

The U.S. was solid if basic on vault, recording three near sticks from Bhavsar (16.125), Horton (16.2) and Justin Spring (15.9).
Bhavsar and Horton carried the U.S. men through parallel bars with solid performances. Bhavsar scored 15.575 with a small hop on the landing, and Horton scored 15.625 with a stuck landing.

The US team almost upset China but did end up with a bronze, exceeding the expectations set for them in the absence of their star athletes.

More updates:
Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, India’s brightest hope for a medal crashed out
Boxers Jitender Kumar and Vijender Kumar are still in the running for a medal in their respective categories and so is shuttler Saina Nehwal
Their more famous counterpart Sania Mirza, on the other hand, retired hurt, raising questions about her commitment and tenacity.