The International Olympic Committee Makes Historic Announcement

Photo courtesy of Matt Cain , Inside Lacrosse

By Gary Groob Columnist and Co-Host of NLL Talk on Spanglish Sports World and Spanglish World Networks

TORONTO. -  The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially voted to include "Lacrosse Sixes" as a medal event at the LA 2028 Olympic Games.  This will be the sixth time in Olympic history that lacrosse will be featured in the Olympic Program and the first time since 1948, when it was a demonstration sport; it was last contested as a medal sport in 1908.

“The legacy, popularity, and growth of lacrosse in North America is poised for mass acceleration, inclusive of traditional epicenters and aspiring hotbeds alike,” stated NLL Commissioner Brett Frood. “There is a robust appetite for all disciplines of the game and this Olympic opportunity will fortify a collective rise-the-tide mentality. Sixes is box lacrosse’s close cousin, so the National Lacrosse League looks forward to doing its part in welcoming, surprising and energizing new and existing fans to our uniquely entertaining sport and game experience. On behalf of the NLL, we congratulate the LA28 Organizing Committee and World Lacrosse and fervently join the global lacrosse community in celebrating this monumental moment.”

Sixes has unique rules that combine both box and field lacrosse:

• 6 vs. 6

• 30 second shot clock

• Field size: 70 x 36 meters

• No specialist positions, just runners and goalies.

• No faceoffs after goals, just scoop and go.

It is even faster than what lacrosse fans are used to.  For those new to the game, it will be an eye opening experience.  To watch the speed and skill of the greatest players the world has to offer, will be a memorable experience.

Haudenosaunee and Colorado Mammoth star Zed Williams had this to say about the announcement:

“Lacrosse has grown so much, and we get to keep watching it grow, and I’m lucky enough to be a part of it. I think it belongs there with all the history of the Native people,” Williams said. “It’s not just the Native people that are helping grow the game of lacrosse. It’s the NLL, the PLL, the Rabils. When lacrosse grows, it helps the Native people be recognized. Not just in upstate New York but in the whole country – it’s global. It lets people know that Native people are still here.”

USA Lacrosse CEO Marc Riccio:

“Let’s make it clear, Canada and the Haudenosaunee have shown us the benefits of box,” Riccio said. “The ability for that type of athlete to work in tight spaces, small spaces, and the creativity that box cultivates is never more apparent than when you’re watching the Canadians and the Haudenosaunee, where box is much more prevalent.”

Riccio went on to say:

“There’s no doubt that from a US perspective, the proof is in the performance of these athletes. That has certainly taught us that we need to play more box. It’s real simple: when you’re younger, and you’re playing box, and you’re getting more touches, you’re going to get better.  That is clear.  That is certainly an area we will look at as a way to develop our national team athletes differently than we have in the past.”

2028 will be remembered as the year lacrosse moved from a fringe sport to the mainstream.  But for now, World Lacrosse, PLL, NLL and everyone else involved have almost five years to work out the bugs.  The camera angles, the rules, the equipment, as well as all the off field headaches should be taken care off.  The finished product that the world will see should jettison the sport into heights it's never seen in it's history.

It is definitely an exciting time to be part of the lacrosse world!