Cricket's push to be a part of the Olympic Games received a major boost with International Olympic Council today granting recognition to ICC.
The IOC in its meeting here voted to recognise the International Cricket Council and the federations of sport climbing and power boating.
"They are recognised federations by us, which now means that they can take part in IOC events," IOC director of communications Mark Adams said after the meeting held ahead of the Winter Olympics here.
"It could be seen as a first step towards becoming Olympic sports," he added.
After today's IOC decision, cricket -- most likely its Twenty20 version, can now bid to join the 2020 Olympic Games though ICC has not made it clear which format it will push for.
ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat has welcomed the decision and termed it as the first step towards cricket's inclusion in the Olympics.