|
Vincent, speaking after being named a co-chair of the group that
will spearhead flag football's efforts toward inclusion at the
2028 Olympics, said there would be no resistance from the NFL if
players wanted to try and qualify.
"Absolutely ... that's what it's all about; choice, options,"
former NFL player Vincent told an online briefing from The World
Games 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama, where flag football is making
its debut at a global multi-sport event.
"It is the ultimate acknowledgement, it's the ultimate
recognition, for any athlete to be an Olympian, to represent
their country.
"So yes, we believe that there will be, and you want that open,
open competition for the best to compete against the best to
represent their flag."
Flag football is a non-contact format of American football
played by teams of five where, instead of tackles, the defensive
squad can remove a flag from a belt on the ball carrier to stop
the play.
Vincent, who described flag football as an all-inclusive sport,
was named co-chair of "Vision28" along with International
Federation of American Football (IFAF) President Pierre Trochet.
The co-chair announcement was made as eight women's and eight
men's flag football teams representing 10 countries from three
continents compete at The World Games 2022 in Birmingham.
"We are excited about the growth of flag ... the partnership and
the growth opportunities," said Vincent "What's the ultimate
goal? For flag football to be embedded in the Olympic Games, not
just LA2028 but beyond."
According to IFAF, flag football is one of the fastest-growing
sports and played by men and women through its programs in over
100 countries.
The governing body also said flag football is adaptable to a
wide range of venues – stadiums, indoor arenas and temporary
urban sports parks – making it a flexible and low-cost
proposition for multi-sport event organizers.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
[© 2022 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |
|
