Cricket in Olympics?

Formal inauguration of Beijing Olympics is just a few hours away.The organisers claim that the spectators in the Stadium and the TV audience is going to experience one of the grandest ever opening ceremonies in the history of sports. Live telecast of the opening ceremony beginning at 1730 Hrs. IST.
Competitions though, have already begun two days ago.Ladies Football matches commenced with china starting on winning note and US team faltering in opening fixture. In coming two weeks, the race for medals between these two nations is surely going to be close one.
In India, there is hardly any enthusiasm about the Olympics Games of this year. But Olympics of year 2020 are in news from now itself. Adam Gilchrist recently advocated inclusion of Twenty-20 Cricket in 2020 Olympics. He found instant takers in India. India just a few months ago won the inaugural T-20 Cricket World Cup. Cricket has huge following in India. Cricketers enjoy tumultuous popularity. And, even though only a handful of countries play Cricket, performance of many of Indian Cricketers is termed as 'World Class'. No wonder Indian Cricket lovers backed this idea with a hope that at least in 2020, India stands a chance of winning a Gold medal!. Some enthusiasts even went to extent of asking Indian Govt to exert international pressure on IOC for inclusion of Cricket in Olympics so that India can win its first ever Olympics Gold!!
Seriously though, it is not going to be easy to press for inclusion of Cricket. Even a T-20 match takes about four hours to complete. Besides a world wide acceptance to Cricket is certainly not there. But one thing is for sure. Even if Cricket does get entry in Olympics, it would be no surprise if the first gold is bagged by China, Korea or US instead of India, Pakistan or Sri Lanka!!
The Games have already started on a disastrous note for India. Lone weightlifter in the contingent, Monika Devi had could not board plane to Beijing on grounds of failing doping test. It will be difficult for the other team members and management to keep composure and perform creditably. Let us hope that India contingent puts its best ever performance and re tuns home with improved medal count. Best of Luck India!