Uber Joins LA28 As Official Rideshare And Delivery Partner For 2028 Olympics and Paralympics
Uber has been named the official rideshare and on-demand delivery partner for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. The global mobility giant will deploy its full suite of services—including cars, bikes, and Uber Eats—to support athletes, officials, and spectators throughout the city. The partnership aims to enhance transportation and food delivery experiences during the Games using cutting-edge technology and seamless operations.
Olympians Featuring In The Rugby Premier League Believe There Is Massive Scope For Rugby Sevens In India
June 23 marks International Olympic Day, commemorating the foundation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894. Among the Olympic sports, Rugby Sevens—a shorter, faster version of Rugby Union—has gained prominence since its 2016 debut. With India stepping into the sport through the GMR Rugby Premier League (RPL), international Olympians foresee a bright future for Indian rugby, citing rising talent, improved competition, and growing grassroots interest.
Germany To Compete With India To Host 2036 Olympic Games
Germany and India are set to compete for the 2036 Summer Olympics hosting rights, with Berlin and Ahmedabad emerging as front-runners.
LA Coliseum And SoFi Stadium To Co-Host 2028 Olympics Opening Ceremony
For the first time ever, LA Coliseum and SoFi Stadium will co-host the 2028 Olympics opening ceremony, blending history and innovation.
PM Modi Reaffirms India’s 2036 Olympic Dream, Pushes For Sports Infrastructure Growth
Modi confirmed India’s plan to hold the 2036 Olympics in his video address at the Opening Ceremony of the Khelo India Youth Games in Bihar.
Cricket To Be Played In Pomona During 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
The South Californian city of Pomona will host the cricket competition during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the ICC has announced.
Cricket Returns To The Olympics After 128 Years, 28 More Medal Events Added For LA Games
Cricket is all set to make a historic return to the Olympic Games after a gap of 128 years, with six teams vying for glory at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Organizers officially confirmed the development on Wednesday. The sport last appeared in the Olympics in 1900, during the Paris Games, where Great Britain faced France in a one-off, two-day match — now considered an unofficial Test. At LA 2028, cricket will be played in the fast-paced T20 format, featuring six teams in both men’s and women’s competitions. Each squad will include up to 15 players, with 90 athlete quotas allotted for each gender. Also Read: Paris Paralympics Sets New Global Broadcast Coverage Benchmark The International Cricket Council (ICC) comprises 12 full-member nations, including Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the West Indies, and Zimbabwe. Additionally, 94 countries hold associate membership. While the qualification criteria are yet to be finalized, it is expected that host nation USA will receive a direct entry, leaving five remaining spots to be filled through ICC rankings or a qualification process. The top five ranked teams as of a designated cut-off date are likely to secure their places. While the qualification criteria are yet to be finalized, it is expected that host nation USA will receive a direct entry, leaving five remaining spots to be filled through ICC rankings or a qualification process. The top five ranked teams as of a designated cut-off date are likely to secure their places. Cricket joins four other new sports added to the LA28 Olympic roster: baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) gave its nod to their inclusion in 2023. On Wednesday, the IOC Executive Board approved the event program and athlete quotas for the Los Angeles Games, introducing 22 additional medal events compared to Paris 2024. The LA28 program will now feature a record 351 medal events, while the overall athlete quota remains capped at 10,500. An additional 698 slots have been allocated to accommodate the newly included sports. In a significant step toward gender equality, LA28 will be the first Olympic Games where all team sports will have equal representation for men and women. Boxing will also reach full gender parity, with the addition of a seventh women’s weight category, matching the men’s events.Prakhar SachdeoThe Sportz Planet Desk
Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya chairs 152nd MOC meeting to begin preparations for LA 2028 Olympics
New Delhi, January 7: Honourable Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya chaired the 152nd Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) meeting here at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Tuesday in the presence of eminent sportspersons, administrators and coaches. The main agenda of the meeting was introduction of members for the newly-constituted MOC and planning for Los Angeles 2028 towards improving India’s medal tally at the Olympics. The Sports Minister emphasised on employing a 360-degree approach to improve the Indian sports ecosystem with consolidated efforts from National Sports Federations (NSFs), State governments, Corporate houses, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). “This is an important forum for me, many actions have already started as per ideas shared by all of you. Winning medals in the Olympics is not a one-year or 6 months job. It requires preparation well in advance. India’s sports infrastructure and funding is at par with the countries performing well at the Global stage. As you are aware, our Prime Minister is fully invested in the idea of making India a sports superpower. So, we have to hold each other’s hands and all stakeholders have to contribute to take the country forward,” Dr Mandaviya said during the two-hour meeting. Olympic medallist Gagan Narang, Pullela Gopichand (Vice-president, Badminton Association of India), Viren Rasquinha (Olympic Gold Quest), Aparna Popat, Dronacharya awardee para coach Dr Satyapal Singh, Arjuna awardee Prashanti Singh, Sports psychologist Gayatri Madkekar, Kamlesh Mehta (Secretary General, Table Tennis Federation of India), Cyrus Poncha (Secretary General, Squash Rackets Federation of India), Deepthi Bopaiah (GoSports Foundation), Siddharth Shanker (Reliance Foundation), Manisha Malhotra (JSW Sports), Gautam Vadehra (Joint Secretary, Petroleum Sports Promotion Board) and Prem Lochab (Railway Sports Promotion Board) attended the meeting along with officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI). Secretary (Sports), Smt. Sujata Chaturvedi, welcomed the newly-constituted MOC members followed by a brief introduction of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme and objective of the meeting by newly-appointed CEO Nachhatar Singh Johal. The key points discussed during the meeting were: 1. Formulation of a robust talent identification criteria of Development Group for Brisbane 20322. Developing short/medium/long term targets for athletes included in TOPS3. Monitoring preparedness and actual performance vis-à-vis short/medium/long term targets4. Approval of budgetary requirements for customised training of individuals and teams5. Identifying and availing services of High Performance Experts to meet training needs of athletes
Is Investing In Grassroots Athletes The Road To Success For India?
At The Sportz Planet SportSci Summit Season 2, held on November 21, 2024, at the Radisson Blu Atria in Bengaluru, Deepthi Bopaiah, CEO of GoSports Foundation, emphasized strategic planning for the future of Indian sports. Her discussion focused on how early investment in young athletes, particularly those under 15 years old, could shape India’s athletic portfolio in the coming decades, especially at the 2036 Olympics. Grassroots Level Sports Focus Bopaiah’s words in the panel discussion highlighted a crucial aspect often overlooked in the current sports ecosystem. The importance of grassroots level sports. While elite athletes who have already achieved international recognition often receive a decent amount of attention and resources, the real foundation for India’s future Olympic success lies in nurturing young talent from an early age. Thus, investments into athletes probably under 15, through this system, we create a robust talent bank with a sustainable sports culture and expected benefits at later dates. Early Identification And Holistic Development The advantages of investment in grassroots athletes are numerous. First, it assists early talent detection and offers a structured framework for the development of these athletes. This approach will ensure that athletes achieve proper education, physical training and the game awareness tools that can take them to the top in different disciplines. Moreover, by focusing on decision-making skills, nutrition and overall fitness, we prepare these young grassroots level athletes to become well-rounded people who can compete at the highest level. Adding Technology For Better Performance Incorporation of technology into training is another key factor that can help to increase an athlete’s performance. Data analytics, biomechanical analysis and performance tracking can be very insightful to help coaches tailor a program based on the needs of the athlete. This scientific approach will enable India to make athletes who are both strong physically and mentally prepared for the challenges of international competitions. Building Leadership And Communication Skills Investment in young athletes also means that communication skills and leadership qualities should be developed. These are often underrated, however, play a vital role in the performance of an athlete under pressure, teamwork with fellow players and representing the nation at the international level. A Bright Future For Indian Sports The future of Indian sports lies in strategic investments at the grassroots level. By supporting young athletes today, India can produce a new generation of stars who will not only compete in the 2036 Olympics but will also bring home a larger number of medals, paving the way for a new era of excellence. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IOA Submits ‘Letter of Intent’ To Host 2036 Olympics
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has formally submitted a ‘Letter of Intent’ to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Future Host Commission to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This is the start of a long journey, as the host is to be decided only after the elections for the IOC take place next year. Strong Competition In Race To Host 2036 Olympics India has faced a stiff competition as it bids to host the 2036 Olympics against other countries with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey reportedly putting themselves at good standings in this bid. More than ten countries, the IOC states, are showing interest in hosting the games in 2036, since it will be the first free slot. IOC Head Defends India’s 2036 Bid The present IOC President, Thomas Bach, has been a supporter of India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics. The last major international multi-sport event that India hosted was the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in 2010, further adding to the country’s credentials for hosting large-scale sporting events. Ahmedabad Likely To Host 2036 Olympics Ahmedabad is now considered the front runner to host the 2036 Olympics. India’s top sports officials, including IOA President PT Usha, have been lobbying for the country’s Olympic bid in a bid to make it more solid. The presence has been notable at the 2024 Paris Olympics. India’s Push For Yoga And Other Sports In Olympics The IOC is not just bidding for the 2036 Games but also pleading that yoga feature in the Olympic sports calendar. One of the six sports that the Sports Ministry’s Mission Olympics Cell has recommended for possible inclusion, yoga is one of India’s greatest cultural exports and soft-power tools. The five other sports under consideration are Twenty-20 (t20) cricket, kabaddi, chess, squash and kho kho. IOC rules govern the inducting of new games to the Olympics, as per which the Organising Committee of a particular edition of the Games is given a leeway to propose regional games which enjoy popularity in regions. The proposal for including yoga had come up in December last year when Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially declared the interest of India in hosting the 2036 Games. It has been the cell of the Mission Olympics, made up of former athletes, federation officials and sports administrators who have been taking forward these proposals. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye