"Heard Few Conversations...": Rahul Dravid On Inclusion Of Cricket In Olympics

An ardent supporter of cricket's inclusion in the Olympics, the legendary Rahul Dravid on Sunday said players are excited and he has heard "serious dressing room conversations" about competing in the world's biggest sporting event. Dravid is in the French capital to attend a panel discussion on a theme titled 'Cricket at the Olympics: Dawn of a New Era', celebrating the sport's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Games. "I've already heard a few conversations in the dressing room. People are talking about the 2026 T20 World Cup, there is an ODI World Cup in 2027, and you hear people saying there is the Olympics in 2028," Dravid said during the discussion.

"People are going to want to win that gold medal, stand on the podium, and be a part of the Games Village, a great sporting event, and interact with so many athletes.

"As you get closer, I have no doubt that teams will be preparing and checking out facilities. They will take this seriously, and players will fight tooth and nail to be out there," he added.

The great batsman had ICC CEO Geoff Allardice for company during the discussion at India House here.

"You grow up watching the Olympics, seeing Carl Lewis winning the gold medal, watching the great athletes perform. You always want to be part of great events like this. The environment, the energy -- it's a dream come true." Dravid hoped that India would win both the men's and women's gold medals at the LA Games.

"The dream for me to have a fantastic cricket tournament, hopefully Indian men and women winning the gold which would be nice.

"But more than that I wish for everyone here... So many Indian fans would be able to come there to LA and support cricket, and show the rest of the world how big and great a sport cricket