Olympic Sports India Should Watch Before LA 2028
The countdown to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games (LA28) has already begun, and excitement is building across India's sporting community. Along with traditional Olympic events, LA28 will feature several additional sports—including Cricket (T20) and Squash—that could significantly increase India's medal opportunities.
While cricket will naturally attract massive attention, several other Olympic sports also deserve close attention over the next two years. Many Indian athletes are emerging as strong contenders on the world stage, making LA28 one of the country's most anticipated Olympic campaigns.
This guide highlights the sports every Indian fan should follow before the Los Angeles Olympics.
Why LA 2028 Matters for India
India has steadily improved its Olympic performances in recent editions through stronger athlete development, sports science, international exposure, and improved training infrastructure.
LA28 is particularly exciting because:
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New medal opportunities are being introduced.
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Several Indian athletes are entering their peak competitive years.
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Team sports continue to improve.
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Young athletes are emerging across multiple disciplines.
For Indian fans, this Olympic cycle could be one of the most exciting yet.
Cricket (T20)
One of the biggest stories of LA28 is the return of Cricket to the Olympic Games after more than a century.
The Olympic competition will feature:
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Men's T20
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Women's T20
India is expected to be among the strongest contenders in both events due to its depth of talent and consistent performances in international cricket. Cricket's inclusion is also expected to bring millions of new viewers to the Olympics.
Squash
Squash will make its Olympic debut at LA28.
India has produced internationally respected players over the years, and a new generation of athletes is continuing to rise through the world rankings.
Why watch:
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Olympic debut
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Fast-paced matches
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Strong Indian talent pipeline
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Growing junior success
Qualification will be highly competitive because the Olympic field is expected to be relatively small.
Shooting
Shooting has become one of India's strongest Olympic sports.
Indian shooters regularly compete at:
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World Cups
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Asian Championships
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World Championships
The sport offers multiple medal opportunities across rifle, pistol, and shotgun events.
Fans should watch for:
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Rising young talent
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Mixed team events
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Consistent international performances
Shooting is widely expected to remain one of India's strongest medal hopes.
Athletics
Athletics continues to gain popularity in India.
Events worth following include:
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Javelin throw
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Long-distance races
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Race walking
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Relay events
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Steeplechase
Strong performances at international competitions over the next two years will help identify India's leading contenders for LA28.
Badminton
Badminton remains one of India's most successful international sports.
Key events include:
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Men's singles
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Women's singles
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Men's doubles
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Women's doubles
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Mixed doubles
The sport is highly competitive, where even small differences in form can decide medals.
Hockey
Field hockey has a rich Olympic history in India.
Both the men's and women's teams continue to compete at the highest international level.
Reasons to watch:
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Fast-paced gameplay
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Strong tactical battles
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Olympic tradition
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Improving international competitiveness
Major international tournaments before LA28 will provide a good indication of each team's progress.
Boxing
Indian boxing has produced several Olympic medalists and world-level competitors.
Watch for:
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Men's boxing
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Women's boxing
Success often depends on:
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Speed
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Tactical awareness
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Defensive skills
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Consistency across qualification events
Wrestling
Wrestling has historically contributed several Olympic medals for India.
Popular disciplines include:
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Freestyle wrestling
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Women's wrestling
Key strengths include:
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Technical skill
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Strength
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Tactical awareness
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International experience
Qualification tournaments before LA28 will be crucial.
Archery
Archery continues to be an exciting sport for Indian fans.
Watch:
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Recurve events
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Team competitions
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Mixed team events
Indian archers frequently perform well at international tournaments, making this a sport worth following throughout the Olympic cycle.
Weightlifting
Weightlifting combines strength, technique, and precision.
Indian lifters regularly compete in:
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Asian Championships
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Commonwealth competitions
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World Championships
Qualification events over the next two years will determine the athletes representing India at LA28.
Table Tennis
Indian table tennis has improved significantly over the past decade.
Important events include:
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Singles
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Doubles
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Mixed doubles
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Team competitions
Young players continue to gain valuable experience against top international opponents.
Swimming
Although swimming is one of the toughest Olympic sports globally, India continues investing in athlete development.
Watch for progress in:
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Sprint freestyle
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Butterfly
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Backstroke
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Relay events
Breaking national records and achieving Olympic qualification standards will be important milestones.
Gymnastics
Gymnastics requires years of technical development and exceptional discipline.
Indian gymnasts continue working toward stronger performances in:
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Artistic gymnastics
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Vault
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Floor exercise
International competitions before LA28 will showcase the country's emerging talent.
New Sports at LA28
LA28 will feature several additional sports alongside the core Olympic program:
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Cricket (T20)
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Squash
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Baseball/Softball
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Flag Football
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Lacrosse (Sixes)
These additions aim to broaden the Olympic audience and reflect sports with growing global appeal.
Young Indian Athletes to Watch
The next Olympic cycle is expected to feature many promising young athletes across:
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Shooting
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Athletics
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Wrestling
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Archery
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Badminton
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Squash
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Table Tennis
Following World Championships, Asian Games, and continental qualification events can help fans identify future Olympic stars.
Major Events Before LA28
Fans should keep an eye on:
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World Championships
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Asian Championships
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Continental qualifiers
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Olympic qualification tournaments
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World Cups
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International Grand Prix events
These competitions often determine Olympic qualification and provide insight into athletes' current form.
How Fans Can Follow Olympic Sports
You can stay updated by:
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Watching international tournaments
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Following official sports federations
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Reading athlete interviews
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Tracking world rankings
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Following Olympic qualification events
Watching athletes throughout the Olympic cycle provides a deeper appreciation of their journey.
Why This Olympic Cycle Is Special
Several factors make LA28 particularly exciting for India:
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Cricket returns to the Olympics.
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Squash makes its Olympic debut.
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India has growing depth across multiple sports.
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Young athletes are gaining international experience.
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Sports science and coaching continue to improve.
Together, these developments create optimism for India's Olympic future.
Final Thoughts
The road to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics promises to be one of the most exciting chapters in Indian sport. While cricket's Olympic return will capture widespread attention, sports such as shooting, badminton, wrestling, hockey, athletics, squash, boxing, archery, and table tennis also offer compelling stories and medal possibilities.
By following athletes through qualification events and major international competitions, fans can better understand the dedication, preparation, and resilience required to compete at the Olympic level. Regardless of the final medal tally, LA28 is set to showcase India's growing presence across a wide range of world-class sports.
