David Morgan says "2020 must be the earliest realistic date" for Twenty20 at the Games.
David Morgan, the ICC president, believes Twenty20 could fit neatly into the Olympic schedule, but has warned the sport to think carefully about a push for a spot at the 2020 Games. Adam Gilchrist started the campaign earlier this month and Morgan has been in Beijing this week seeing how the event works and meeting with officials.
Cricket gained recognition status from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) last year and Morgan said Twenty20 would suit the Olympic timetable "without any difficulty whatsoever". However, fitting the tournament into cricket's already-crammed international schedule could be a concern.
"It is something that cricket has to think about very carefully," Morgan told AFP. "This visit, these few days, give us the opportunity to assess the potential for cricket becoming an Olympic sport."
Cricket Australia's James Sutherland and Creagh O'Connor have also been in Beijing and there has been a strong push from Australia for cricket to seek a spot at the 2020 Games. The issue is expected to be discussed at the ICC's chief executives committee meeting in Lahore on September 10 and is seen by supporters as a way to secure a truly global future for cricket.
"2020 must be the earliest realistic date but I must emphasise the ICC has to consider its position just as the IOC has to consider its position," Morgan said. For cricket to gain a spot at those Games it must be approved by the IOC in 2013.
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