There is celebration in the USA following the final green light from the IOC for the inclusion of flag football in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic programme. The Ifaf (international federation), the NFL and USA Football – the national governing body of American football in the United States – have joined forces and in a joint statement celebrated the decision of the International Olympic Committee which comes at the end of an evaluation process that began two years ago.
Flag football is a team sport similar to American football in many respects but it does not involve contact between the players who however carry two flags on their belts which must be torn down by their opponents. Thanks to this mode it is possible to play in a mixed mode (man-woman): flag football is growing especially among women and girls. It is estimated that 20 million practice it in more than 100 countries. The NFL, one of the favorite sports of American spectators, has a fan base of 340 million people. Next year 65 national teams will participate in the Ifaf Flag Football World Cup in Lahti, Finland in August 2024.
Among these there could also be Italy which is working on qualification. Satisfaction was expressed by Fidaf: “A historic moment for Flag Football in the world – commented Leoluca Orlando, president of the Italian federation – and a moment of particular enthusiasm on the part of Fidaf, which has given strong support in international forums to participation in the Olympics in 2028 and in recent years it has organized international championships of this discipline in Italy, winning European titles and prestigious successes, such as the silver won last year at the World Games in Birmingham with the men’s national team”.
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2023-10-16 10:37:07
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