From parks across the United States to various championships, a quiet sports revolution is taking shape. Driven by the now - attainable dream of becoming a member of the flag football team at the Los Angeles Olympics, girls and teenagers are hitting the fields to engage in this non - contact sport. A non - tackling version of traditional American football, flag football was barely known just six years ago but has now emerged as the fastest - growing sport among young American women.
Michael Colt, the coach of the Staten Island Gants, currently the national champions in the under - 18 category, is one of the key figures in this transformation. "It's like the youth version of pickleball and currently the fastest - growing women's sport," he told Agence France - Presse, unable to hide his enthusiasm. Founded in 2019, Colt has witnessed his club evolve from a marginal idea into a talent pool for the national team. "We fought for everything. They tried to exclude us. (...) At first, no one wanted to coach girls," he recalled, his tone a mix of pride and indignation.
As flag football continues to gain momentum, it not only offers young girls a platform to showcase their athleticism but also challenges traditional gender norms in sports. With its growing popularity and the increasing support it receives, flag football is set to make a significant mark on the American sports landscape and beyond, especially as it gears up for its debut at the Los Angeles Olympics.
