Latest news with #Trochet
eNCA
15-07-2025
- Sport
- eNCA
Flag football federation 'hopes' US teams have reserve places at LA Olympics
LOS ANGELES - The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) is formulating the qualification procedure for flag football's first Olympic appearance in 2028 and officials hope US teams will have automatic entry for their home Games, president Pierre Trochet said. Trochet, speaking to AFP on Monday on the sidelines of an official visit three years ahead of the Los Angeles Olympics, said the federation was in discussions with the International Olympic Committee on the qualifying path for six men's and six women's teams. "We will have the official version of the qualification program by the end of the year," he said. "We are already anticipating a scenario where the world's best might face a first stage of qualification in 2026. "After that, a mix with the best continental teams in 2027 could yeild a second group of qualified teams. We have quite a clear and precise idea of what we will propose." The fledgling Olympic sport -- a non-tackle version of the immensely popular gridioron game -- received a boost when the NFL gave the green light for its players to participate, and Trochet said the federation hoped they would be granted entry to the tournament as hosts. "Our board has made this proposal, and we hope it will be favorably received by those who need to approve our qualification pathway," he said. Trochet said the federation has also been working on flag football's place in the Olympic schedule, saying they had secured a "prime time" slot with a men's final on Friday, July 21, that "links culturally to the tradition of university games on Friday nights. "The women's final will have its own moment on Saturday evening at the heart of an important day, all at the end of the first week of the Games," Trochet added.
The Star
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Olympics-Flag football to make primetime Olympic debut at LA28
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -Flag football will take center stage during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, after organizers confirmed the sport's medal matches will be held in primetime slots in its first-ever Olympic appearance. The International Federation of American Football (IFAF), in partnership with the National Football League (NFL), announced on Monday that the men's and women's medal games are scheduled for Friday evening, July 21, and Saturday afternoon, July 22, at BMO Stadium near downtown Los Angeles. The announcement comes as senior IFAF and NFL delegations visit Los Angeles for the first official meetings with Games organizers, marking exactly three years to the day before the LA28 Opening Ceremony. "Flag football will definitely be a hot ticket at the Games," IFAF President Pierre Trochet told Reuters on Monday. "We're going to be at a great stadium right in the heart of the city and we're going to have fantastic players on the field with NFL players available." Flag football is a non-contact variation of American football in which players wear flags attached to their waists. Instead of tackling, defensive players must remove a flag from the ball carrier to end a play. The sport is played on a smaller field with fewer players per side. The inclusion of flag football in LA28 follows a vote by NFL owners allowing NFL players to participate in the Olympic competition. Trochet said the primetime scheduling was a clear statement of a shared ambition to ensure flag football contributes a "defining element" of LA28's success. Organizers hope to capture the excitement of "Friday Night Lights," a cherished American tradition, and generate iconic moments for the sport's Olympic launch. "We could not dream of a better setup to start our debut in the Olympic movement and Olympic journey," he said. The IFAF delegation, including managing director Andy Fuller and senior NFL executives, is set to tour Exposition Park and other venues over a three-day visit. The group will also meet with key LA28 organizing committee members and attend the launch of a new NFL flag football brand campaign, which features Olympic gymnastics champion Jordan Chiles and flag football athletes from Australia and the U.S. (Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
France 24
14-07-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Flag football federation 'hopes' US teams have reserve places at LA Olympics
Trochet, speakFlag football will make its Olympic bow at ting to AFP on Monday on the sidelines of an official visit three years ahead of the Los Angeles Olympics, said the federation was in discussions with the International Olympic committee on the qualifying path for six men's and six women's teams. "We will have the official version of the qualification program by the end of the year," he said. "We are already anticipating a scenario where the world's best might face a first stage of qualification in 2026. "After that, a mix with the best continental teams in 2027 could yeild a second group of qualified teams. We have quite a clear and precise idea of what we will propose." The fledgling Olympic sport -- a non-tackle version of the immensely popular gridioron game -- received a boost when the NFL gave the green light for its players to participate, and Trochet said the federation hoped they would be granted entry to the tournament as hosts. "Our board has made this proposal, and we hope it will be favorably received by those who need to approve our qualification pathway," he said. Trochet said the federation has also been working on flag football's place in the Olympic schedule, saying they had secured a "prime time" slot with a men's final on Friday, July 21, that "links culturally to the tradition of university games on Friday nights. "The women's final will have its own moment on Saturday evening at the heart of an important day, all at the end of the first week of the Games," Trochet added. Elsewhere the federation is focusing on the growth of the sport worldwide. "A few weeks ago, we concluded the first African Championship in Cairo, Egypt," he said. "Throughout the summer we will transition to the European Championships in Paris, the Americas Championship in Panama and then the Asia-Oceania Championships in China in October." Trochet said efforts to bolster the sport in the United States are somewhat different, but along with the NFL the federation is working to support youth flag football, train coaches and train and certify officials. "In the United States, flag football is experiencing phenomenal growth," he said, adding that the federation was working with the NFL to have flag football, long considered a recreational pursuit, recognized as a competitive collegiate sport in the United States. "Our ambition is to move faster than the 10 years usually required for this process," he said.
France 24
21-05-2025
- Sport
- France 24
NFL LA Games decision is flag football's 'Dream Team' moment: president
Tuesday's announcement made Trochet's 39th birthday all that more special, coming less than two years since the sport he leads gained the ultimate accolade in being voted onto the sports roster by International Olympic Committee members. Flag football is an abbreviated, five-a-side form of American football, in which players "tackle" each other by grabbing a flag attached to the waist of opponents. Six men's teams and six women's teams will take part in the Olympic tournament in 2028, with each squad comprised of 10 players. The NFL's announcement on Tuesday was "one of those milestones that we had on the playbook", said Trochet. "All of that was scripted, of course. NFL-style, right? I'll make the joke because it was my birthday," he told AFP at the launch of the European championships which take place in September in France. Trochet, who is the youngest head of an Olympic sport federation, equated having the NFL players available for LA28 to the NBA superstars' first appearance at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, where the USA 'Dream Team' won gold. Several NFL players have already expressed an interest, with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Kansas City Chiefs counterpart Patrick Mahomes among those indicating a desire to play in the Games. "We just keep on scoring every single time. So the recognition, the inclusion (in the Olympics)," Trochet said. "And now it is this Dream Team moment. "It's a huge milestone. I mean, how many sports can pretend to bring all of that kind of sports super power? NBA, the NFL." The former offensive lineman said having played for France in gridiron -- at "a humble level" -- he knew how special it was to represent one's country. 'Family pride' Trochet -— who had spells with the Amiens Spartans in France and the Austrian franchise Danube Dragons -- said singing the national anthem and donning the country's colours sent chills down one's spine. "I think for every athlete it's something special, being in the Olympics, being with your national team, getting that gold medal," he said. "Putting yourself in the Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps category, being on this global stage. "It's a new excitement for them." The urbane Frenchman, who grew up steeped in American culture in Chateauroux, central France, as it hosted a US airforce base, said the Olympics offered something unique. "Being a Super Bowl winner is awesome and it's so hard to try to get to the Super Bowl every year, but you might have only one chance in your career to get an Olympic medal," he said. For Trochet there is no let-up as he seeks to ensure flag football is in the programme for Brisbane in 2032, which he says will be decided before Los Angeles. "I said at the beginning that LA was not a one and done," he said. "So whenever this process will start, we're ready and we will put forward a very appealing proposition to stay in the game. "The NFL thing probably helps. It's one of those things that brings value." French captain Elisa De Santis still has a full-time job despite winning world and European titles -- and at 36 the lure of Los Angeles offers her one final hurrah. "It is the Games that give me oxygen," she told AFP. For the urbane Trochet Los Angeles also offers a personal goal -- taking along his father, who was responsible for him catching the gridiron bug as he was president of the Chateauroux club.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL LA Games decision is flag football's 'Dream Team' moment: president
Pierre Trochet, President of the International Federation of American Football, says the Olympics gives his players something special (Anne-Christine POUJOULAT) Pierre Trochet, president of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), told AFP on Wednesday that the NFL's green light for players to take part in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is a "huge milestone" for the sport. Tuesday's announcement made Trochet's 39th birthday all that more special, coming less than two years since the sport he leads gained the ultimate accolade in being voted onto the sports roster by International Olympic Committee members. Advertisement Flag football is an abbreviated, five-a-side form of American football, in which players "tackle" each other by grabbing a flag attached to the waist of opponents. Six men's teams and six women's teams will take part in the Olympic tournament in 2028, with each squad comprised of 10 players. The NFL's announcement on Tuesday was "one of those milestones that we had on the playbook", said Trochet. "All of that was scripted, of course. NFL-style, right? I'll make the joke because it was my birthday," he told AFP at the launch of the European championships which take place in September in France. Advertisement Trochet, who is the youngest head of an Olympic sport federation, equated having the NFL players available for LA28 to the NBA superstars' first appearance at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, where the USA 'Dream Team' won gold. Several NFL players have already expressed an interest, with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Kansas City Chiefs counterpart Patrick Mahomes among those indicating a desire to play in the Games. "We just keep on scoring every single time. So the recognition, the inclusion (in the Olympics)," Trochet said. "And now it is this Dream Team moment. "It's a huge milestone. I mean, how many sports can pretend to bring all of that kind of sports super power? NBA, the NFL." Advertisement The former offensive lineman said having played for France in gridiron -- at "a humble level" -- he knew how special it was to represent one's country. - 'Family pride' - Trochet -— who had spells with the Amiens Spartans in France and the Austrian franchise Danube Dragons -- said singing the national anthem and donning the country's colours sent chills down one's spine. "I think for every athlete it's something special, being in the Olympics, being with your national team, getting that gold medal," he said. "Putting yourself in the Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps category, being on this global stage. Advertisement "It's a new excitement for them." The urbane Frenchman, who grew up steeped in American culture in Chateauroux, central France, as it hosted a US airforce base, said the Olympics offered something unique. "Being a Super Bowl winner is awesome and it's so hard to try to get to the Super Bowl every year, but you might have only one chance in your career to get an Olympic medal," he said. For Trochet there is no let-up as he seeks to ensure flag football is in the programme for Brisbane in 2032, which he says will be decided before Los Angeles. "I said at the beginning that LA was not a one and done," he said. Advertisement "So whenever this process will start, we're ready and we will put forward a very appealing proposition to stay in the game. "The NFL thing probably helps. It's one of those things that brings value." French captain Elisa De Santis still has a full-time job despite winning world and European titles -- and at 36 the lure of Los Angeles offers her one final hurrah. "It is the Games that give me oxygen," she told AFP. For the urbane Trochet Los Angeles also offers a personal goal -- taking along his father, who was responsible for him catching the gridiron bug as he was president of the Chateauroux club. "It will be my moment of personal family pride." pi/gj
