Canada’s flag football teams have punched their ticket to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
It will be the first time in history the sport has appeared at the Olympics.
The women’s side earned their spot by winning gold and taking down an American team looking to win its fourth straight International Federation of American Football (IFAF) World Championship.
The 27-20 nail-biter came down to a final defensive stand by team Canada. Canadian quarterback Sara Parker threw for 23 total touchdowns, and earned tournament MVP honours.
It was only Canada’s third ever title, and the first since taking down the U.S in 2014.
The men’s side had a rockier road to qualify for the 2028 Olympics.
Excluding the American Olympic hosts, only the top 2 teams at the IFAF World Championships would earn their Olympic spot.
Once Canada’s men’s team lost to Italy in the semi finals, the bronze medal game became a win-and-get-in game due to the Americans advancing to the gold medal match.
The men’s team beat a competitive Mexico squad 34-26 on the back of a successful night from quarterback Michael O’Connor, who tallied 294 yards and five touchdowns.
149 of those yards and two of the touchdowns went to former NFL tight end and 2020 Superbowl champion Anthony Auclair.
Canada will have to wait until the 2028 Olympic qualifiers before seeing which other nations will join them for the first ever Olympic flag football competition.
