Flag football-Mexico’s captain Flores sees stiff competition for Olympic qualifying

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By Amy Tennery

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Mexican national flag football team captain Diana Flores expects a fierce competition for Olympic qualifying, as the women’s game grows rapidly around the world ahead of its Los Angeles 2028 debut.

Mexico stunned the favourites United States to claim a second straight World Games gold this year 26-21, holding off a late charge from the nation that invented the sport but has no easy path to the top of the podium.

“Competition is growing – the level of the game, of the athletes, is evolving and that’s an exciting part of this,” said Flores.

“The countries are getting more prepared, are investing more in their athletes and are growing their game so you can tell.”

Flores, one of the most recognisable figures in the non-tackle form of the gridiron game, has seen her own profile climb as the sport prepares for its Olympic debut in Los Angeles.

The quarterback, who walked the red carpet this week from the Women’s Sports Foundation’s annual gala, featured in the NFL’s 2023 Super Bowl commercial and is an ambassador for the league as it looks to bring more girls and women into the sport.

“Right now flag football is a whole movement that is breaking down barriers,” said Flores.

“Just to see the growth and how many opportunities this is creating is amazing.”

With the championships next year in Dusseldorf, Germany, widely expected to serve as a direct qualifying event for LA28, Flores said she expects North American powerhouses to face a challenge from European rivals and up-and-coming programmes like China and Japan.

“We haven’t shown yet the full power and growth of the game as it is right now,” she said. “These women are changing the game.”

(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York)