Long way to go for the Olympics: Haroon Lorgat

Haroon Lorgat, chief executive of ICC, explains to Vijay Tagore the implications of IOC recognition for the game. Excerpts from an interview.

What does the IOC decision mean for cricket?
It is very special in the sense that the member countries get a lot of benefits. They are entitled for many financial benefits in particular.

Does ICC need financial assistance?
Well, whenever there is assistance and wherever there are resources, we welcome them as they can be very helpful for the development of the game. You know cricket is an expensive sport and whatever assistance we get from member countries goes a long way in charting the development of the game.

You said getting the IOC recognition and getting to be part of the Olympics are two different things. Could you elaborate?
It means we have just crossed the first step. Recognition is one matter and participation is another. In that sense, we have a long way to go before becoming a part of the Games. Now, we will consider whether to participate. We have not yet engaged in a debate over the issue of participation. We have to initiate a discussion at the ICC level. It is something we will be doing in the near future. I want to emphasise again on the difference between recognition and participation.

But do you actually see resistance from the member countries over participation in the Olympic Games?
We consider most of the subjects on the agenda with an open mind. I know several countries which will be in favour of participation and several may not be. It is simply because if we include Olympics in our schedule, it will create a lot more complexities in the volume and scheduling of our cricket. These are the issues we must deal with. We’re happy that we have got the recognition.

When do you think cricket will eventually make its way into the Games?
Well, the earliest possible chance is 2020. This is based on Olympic rules. And the suitable format for it is Twenty20. This is the most practical format for the Olympics. As I said, we haven’t started the debate. It will be difficult for me to predict a time frame. None of us at the ICC has given any consideration as to when the right time is to be part of the Games. The question of participation, in fact, is a completely new subject for us.

When are you likely to kick start the debate?
That, again, I cannot say because I haven’t got the agenda.

One of the pre-requisites, it is understood, is that cricket has to be Wada-compliant. Is that an impediment for an Olympic ticket?
That is not an impediment at all. Whether or not we’re an Olympic sport, we will be Wada-compliant. We are making very good progress on this issue and in the next couple of months, we will sort out our Wada compliance.