A decision on which new sports will be included in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics is expected to come in the coming weeks, International Federation of American Football chief Pierre Trochet said Monday. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will then have to ratify this decision at its meeting in Mumbai in October.
Flag football, a non-contact format of American football played by teams of five, is trying with eight other sports to be on the program of the 2028 Games as one of the events that can be added by local organizers. The sport faces fierce competition, with cricket seen as one of the favorites given the sport’s wide global reach, financial strength and broadcast appeal.
NFL players at the Olympics?
Flag football and cricket have been shortlisted along with baseball-softball, lacrosse, breakdancing, karate, kickboxing, squash and motorsport. Flag football is banking on its support in the United States, its growing popularity overseas as well as the potential participation of NFL players in the Games to make it to Los Angeles.
“When we first asked the question…to see if players would be released by the NFL to play, it was clear that many players would be interested in it,” said Brett Gosper, head of NFL Europe. “It’s an exciting prospect to see NFL superstars at the Olympics. »
Although only included for one edition of the Games, these sports are banking on the boost provided by their Olympic participation to drive growth and remain an attractive Olympic product for the next four-year cycle. As a reminder, breakdance will make its debut at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
2023-08-14 13:07:20
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