Cricket gets IOC approval, can bid to join Games

Cricket, powerboating and sports climbing became the latest  sports to be officially recognised by the IOC, a status  necessary before launching a bid to become part of the Olympic  programme.

“The session gave definite recognition to the three  federations,” IOC spokesman Mark Adams told reporters.

The three sports can now bid to join the 2020 Olympics as  the programme is always determined seven years in advance.

Golf and rugby were the latest inclusions in the 2016 Rio de  Janeiro Games when an IOC session voted them in last year.

The decision about new sports for the 2020 Games will be  taken at the IOC session in Buenos Aires in 2013 where the host  country will also be picked.