Cricket’s Olympics road leads to Rome

President of Italian cricket board says they have firm commitment from the organising committee

The president of the Italian board has vowed to include cricket in Olympics if Rome wins the bid to host the 2024 event.

Rome is one the four cities which are bidding to host the 2024 Olympics, and according to the new rules, the hosts will be allowed to add five sports to the events.

"If Rome hosts the Olympics, cricket will be included," Simone Gambino, president of the Federazione Cricket Italiana (FCI) told ESPNCricinfo. "We have had a firm commitment from the organising committee."

Meanwhile, if Rome does win the hosting rights, the matches would be organised in Bologna where the World Cricket League Division Four matches were held in 2010.

A minimum of 12 and a maximum of 16 countries are thought to take part in the event, but the nations to be involved still remain open to debate.

In case of 12 teams are allowed to participate, the teams would have to be selected from around the globe, which might mean three teams from Europe and Asia each, two each from Africa, America and the Caribbean, while two to three from South Pacific area.