Flag football set to be included at Los Angeles Olympics in 2028

Flag football has taken a significant stride towards inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, marking a notable victory for both the NFL and the Los Angeles organizers. This development aims to introduce a quintessentially American sport to the Summer Games as they make their return to the United States after a 32-year hiatus.

According to reliable sources closely associated with the Los Angeles organizing committee, they have formally presented their proposal to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This presentation sets the stage for a vote during the IOC’s upcoming meeting, scheduled to commence this Friday in Mumbai, India. However, the individuals providing this information preferred not to disclose their identities, as the LA committee was expected to make an official announcement later in the day.

Notably, flag football’s potential inclusion comes on the heels of several other sports being considered for the Olympic program, including lacrosse, squash, and cricket. While lacrosse, squash, and cricket were featured in the 2021 Tokyo Games, they will not be part of the upcoming event in Paris. Cricket, in particular, holds global appeal and is expected to resonate well in Brisbane, Australia, the host city for the 2032 Olympics. The decision on cricket’s inclusion will be significant, especially given the location of the IOC’s vote in India.

However, it’s worth mentioning that breakdancing, which made its debut in Paris next year, will not be retained for subsequent Olympics. Similarly, motorsports, kickboxing, and karate did not make the cut.

An area of uncertainty is whether other sports may need to reduce the number of disciplines to adhere to the IOC’s established limit of 10,500 athletes at a Summer Olympics. The inclusion of five team sports, including flag football, will inevitably increase the total number of participants.

Flag football, as a less physically demanding variant of America’s most popular sport, has been actively promoted by the NFL in various international markets, including Europe, Mexico, and Japan, for many years. In the current NFL season, three games were scheduled in London, and two took place in Germany.

Flag football differs from traditional American football in that “tackles” are executed by pulling a flag off a belt worn by each player. The game is played with 5 players on each team on a 50-yard field, with no offensive and defensive linemen. Notably, at the World Games last year, the U.S. men’s team secured the gold medal, while the women’s team finished as runners-up, losing to Mexico in the final.

While flag football is expected to resonate with domestic audiences, cricket may present a learning curve for many. Although cricket enjoys immense popularity in countries like India, Australia, and Britain, it remains relatively obscure in the United States. For the Los Angeles Olympics, a shortened version of the game called Twenty20 is proposed for the schedule. Cricket has previously featured in the Olympics, with its last appearance dating back to the 1900 Paris Games.

For more information on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and updates on the Olympic program, you can visit the official AP Olympics website at [link to the website].

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