Flag Football aims to keep Olympics place beyond LA 2028 / Photo: Megan Briggs - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
-
Fearless Konstas slams 60 as Australia take upper hand against India
-
Bridges outduels Wembanyama, Celtics lose again
-
Hungry Sabalenka ready for more Slam success
-
Mass jailbreak in Mozambique amid post-election unrest
-
Azerbaijani jet crashes in Kazakhstan, killing 38
-
Bridges outduels Wembanyama as Knicks beat Spurs
-
2004 Indian Ocean tsunami: what to know 20 years on
-
Asia to mourn tsunami dead with ceremonies 20 years on
-
Syrians protest after video of attack on Alawite shrine
-
Russian state owner says cargo ship blast was 'terrorist attack'
-
38 dead as Azerbaijani jet crashes in Kazakhstan
-
Crisis-hit Valencia hire West Brom's Corberan as new boss
-
Suriname ex-dictator and fugitive Desi Bouterse dead at 79
-
35 feared dead as Azerbaijani jet crashes in Kazakhstan
-
Pope calls for 'arms to be silenced' in Christmas appeal
-
Syria authorities say torched 1 million captagon pills
-
Pope calls for 'arms to be silenced' across world
-
32 survivors as Azerbaijani jet crashes in Kazakhstan
-
Pakistan air strikes kill 46 in Afghanistan, Kabul says
-
Liverpool host Foxes, Arsenal prepare for life without Saka
-
Japan FM raises 'serious concerns' over China military buildup
-
Pope's sombre message in Christmas under shadow of war
-
Zelensky condemns Russian 'inhumane' Christmas attack on energy grid
-
Sweeping Vietnam internet law comes into force
-
Pope kicks off Christmas under shadow of war
-
Catholics hold muted Christmas mass in Indonesia's Sharia stronghold
-
Japan's top diplomat in China to address 'challenges'
-
Thousands attend Christmas charity dinner in Buenos Aires
-
Demand for Japanese content booms post 'Shogun'
-
As India's Bollywood shifts, stars and snappers click
-
Mystery drones won't interfere with Santa's work: US tracker
-
Djokovic eyes more Slam glory as Swiatek returns under doping cloud
-
Australia's in-form Head confirmed fit for Boxing Day Test
-
Brazilian midfielder Oscar returns to Sao Paulo
-
'Wemby' and 'Ant-Man' to make NBA Christmas debuts
-
US agency focused on foreign disinformation shuts down
-
On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis launches holy Jubilee year
-
'Like a dream': AFP photographer's return to Syria
-
Chiefs seek top seed in holiday test for playoff-bound NFL teams
-
Panamanians protest 'public enemy' Trump's canal threat
-
Cyclone death toll in Mayotte rises to 39
-
Ecuador vice president says Noboa seeking her 'banishment'
-
Leicester boss Van Nistelrooy aware of 'bigger picture' as Liverpool await
-
Syria authorities say armed groups have agreed to disband
-
Maresca expects Man City to be in title hunt as he downplays Chelsea's chancs
-
Man Utd boss Amorim vows to stay on course despite Rashford row
-
South Africa opt for all-pace attack against Pakistan
-
Guardiola adamant Man City slump not all about Haaland
-
Global stocks mostly higher in thin pre-Christmas trade
-
Bethlehem marks sombre Christmas under shadow of war
NYSE - LSE
Flag Football aims to keep Olympics place beyond LA 2028
American football, in the form of flag football, will make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028 and the sport's governing body are already working to make sure 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 he was already 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.
The NFL are 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 re-branding 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 talked about wishing to represent their countries in LA in 2028 and Trochet believes 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.
F.Bennett--AMWN