Olympic Stars Embrace Flag Football at COB Expo 2026, Surto Olímpico reports

Flag football emerged as a central attraction at the COB Expo 2026, drawing 96 mil visitors—including 24 mil children—across 5 days of exhibitions, Surto Olímpico reported. Held in a dedicated space hosted by the Confederação Brasileira de Futebol Americano (CBFA), the non-contact sport brought together children, teenagers, adults, journalists, and high-profile Olympic athletes on the same field for practical demonstrations and interactive challenges.

Olympic Champions and Veterans Test Skills on the Gridiron

The event gained significant traction through the participation of six prominent Brazilian athletes with extensive Olympic experience. The contingent featured track and field long jump gold medalist Maurren Maggi, gymnastics rings champion Arthur Zanetti, and Paris 2024 race walking silver medalist Caio Bonfim, alongside six-time Olympian table tennis player Hugo Hoyama and former national basketball team members Guilherme Giovannoni and Rafael Hettsheimeir.

Rafael Hettsheimeir, currently playing for Basquete Tatuí, initiated the athletic challenges by stepping onto the turf to test his throwing accuracy with the oval ball. Maurren Maggi demonstrated immediate adaptation to the sport. Participating in a precision target challenge alongside Brazilian national flag football team member Gabi Bank, Maggi hit the target on her very first attempt at age 50, Surto Olímpico reported.

High-Intensity Dueling Against National Team Stars

Guilherme Giovannoni, a champion in the Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB) and a veteran of the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games, faced off against Duzão, a Brazilian player with past experience in the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. The encounter blended elements of flag football, basketball, and American football.

Hugo Hoyama took on an even more demanding defensive test. After establishing himself naturally as a quarterback during passing drills, the table tennis veteran attempted to pull the flag of Wallace Kamara, a member of the Brazilian national flag football team known for his exceptional speed. Hoyama pushed through the drill intensely, scraping his leg in the process.

Foi minha primeira vez [jogando flag]. Experiência muito legal. Eu dei o sangue, literalmente. Conhecer as regras de um esporte que você acompanha, mas é diferente você estar ali, com a bola na mão. Muito legal. Parabéns ao rapidinho aqui (Kamara), que, pelo amor de Deus… Tá louco! Me colocaram no desafio com o cara mais rápido do Brasil.

Unusual Defensive Plays Highlight the Exhibition

Caio Bonfim entered the exhibition with prior exposure to American football through the Tubarões do Cerrado in Brasília. During a one-on-one scenario, the Olympic silver medalist executed a rare defensive maneuver by pulling both flags from an opponent simultaneously. However, when matched against national team player Gabi Bank, Bonfim was successfully stopped in every attempt to advance past her coverage.

Arthur Zanetti showcased notable agility and speed during his turns running the ball and evading defenders, successfully completing his offensive run without losing his flags. When shifted to a defensive role, the gymnastics champion successfully tracked down and pulled an opponent’s flag.