Miami (AFP) – American football, in the form of flag football, will make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028, and the sport’s governing body is already working to ensure that the NFL-backed sport remains in the Games for the long term. Pierre Trochet, the French president of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), told AFP that he is working on plans to secure a place in the 2032 Summer Games in Brisbane, Australia.
While the inclusion of the non-tackle version of the gridiron game in the LA Games was seen as a way to appeal to American fans, Trochet, who was re-elected as IFAF president on Saturday, believes the sport is developing global appeal. “LA 2028 is not a one and done for us. We’re a sport that is ambitious to have a role in the Olympic Games, long-term, so yes, we are working with all stakeholders to prepare a very compelling proposal for Brisbane,” he said in an online interview. “It’s an ongoing process that hasn’t formally started yet, but we’re excited by the opportunity and chance to develop our Brisbane plans,” he added.
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The NFL is reportedly “exploring” the possibility of expanding their International Series to Australia with a regular season game or possibly the Pro Bowl. The Pro Bowl has featured flag football played by NFL players after rebranding to the Pro Bowl Games in 2023, and Trochet says the sport is finding fans in Australia. “Flag football is very fast-growing in Australia, and the country and wider region is also a top priority market for the NFL, with lots of potential developments in the works,” he said.
“The IFAF and the NFL share a commitment to strengthen the presence of American football in the Olympic movement over the long term. We are also seeking inclusion in continental events and other multi-sport competitions,” added Trochet. Flag football will be part of the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, and at their congress this weekend, federations from Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, and Malaysia were promoted from allied to associate members.
NFL players have expressed their desire to represent their countries in LA in 2028, and Trochet believes that the sport, which is played by men and women, fits the modern thinking in the Olympic movement. “I was listening to what (IOC) president (Thomas) Bach said this week about ‘new era Games’. What could be more new than us?” he said. The qualifying process for LA and the selection of stadiums is expected in the first half of 2025.
© 2024 AFP
