“I would like to play in the Olympic Games“the Los Angeles Dodgers star told Sports Illustrated’s Stephanie Apstein.
“Also, knowing the fact that there will be non-baseball fans watching the games as well, I think it would be really good for the baseball industry.”
With baseball off the cards for the upcoming Paris Olympics, Ohtani is among a group of players hoping to participate in the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
Baseball was a full-time sport at the Summer Olympics from 1992 through 2008, but lacked the star power of uninvolved major leagues. The International Olympic Committee voted in 2005 to eliminate baseball and softball, although host nations can include sports that are popular with citizens.
The policy marked the return of baseball to the Tokyo Games and is on the agenda for 2028 in Los Angeles.
Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said he remains open-minded, while the union’s top representative, Tony Clark, plans to add Olympic participation to a list of priorities ahead of collective bargaining agreement discussions.
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper is also among the group of interested players, saying in June that the World Baseball Classic doesn’t have the same impact.
“Putting the colors of the nation on your chest, there’s nothing like it,” Harper said.
“There’s no greater feeling than going to another country and winning and hearing your anthem blast. So I hope we can do something. Obviously, it’s difficult logistically, but it would be a lot of fun to be able to take baseball there and have the best players there doing it to represent their countries.”
