Flag football, obstacle-course racing and no cars

Flag football is among several somewhat eclectic sports coming to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics – while the much-maligned breakdancing event will be getting the boot.
Often associated with cookouts and fraternity backyards, flag football is being boosted onto the international stage at the next Summer Games after the International Federation of American Football got support from the NFL.
And while Americans are most familiar with football as a male-only sport, women will be competing in their own flag-football division in 2028.
Joining the sport’s Olympic debut will be other newcomers such as obstacle-course racing — yes, just like “American Nina Warrior.” Squash also will be a competition at the 2028 Olympics for the first time, after years of unsuccessful petitioning.
4 Los Angeles will play host to the 2028 Summer Games. AP
Lacrosse and cricket are returning to the Games after more than a century’s absence each, too.
Baseball and softball will also be returning after being absent in Paris.
In proper California fashion, recent newcomers surfing and skateboarding will remain in 2028.
4 Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the city’s 2028 Olympic Games will be “car-free” and rely on public transit. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
The 2028 games will be the third hosted by LA, which leaned into its numerous stadiums already in place — including previous Olympic venues and arenas used by the Lakers, Chargers and Clippers — as one of its strongest selling points to host the games.
But for all its readied infrastructures, LA has a wild plan for 2028: “A no-car games,” as Mayor Karen Bass put it Sunday.
That translates to all Olympic events being accessible only by public transportation and cars being completely barred from venues.
4 Flag football, for women and men, will be played at the Olympics for the first time in 2028. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The plan is intended to curb LA’s notorious gridlock traffic and will rely on about 3,000 buses brought in from across the country, along with the city asking businesses to let employees work from home during the games’ 17-day duration.
“Part of having a no-car Olympics means getting people not to drive,” Bass said.
LA — the home of Hollywood — also intends to put on an opening ceremony and televised experience worthy of its silver-screen reputation.
“The 2028 Games will be authentically Los Angeles,” said LA 2028 Chairman Casey Wasserman.
4 Obstacle-course racing will be a first at the Los Angeles Games in four years, too. Future Publishing via Getty Images
Events such as marathons and cycling will use the iconic landscape of the city and take place “where a big part of the mythology of the 20th century has been created because of Hollywood,” said Olympic broadcasting chief Yiannis Exarchos.
“This is where I am more intrigued. I find interesting to see how we can recreate the television geography of LA,” he said.
With Post wires