International Federation of American Football Submits Olympic Application

Could we eventually see football in the Olympics as an official event? Keep your fingers crossed because it could happen!

The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) has submitted their application for the sport to be considered for inclusion at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020.

Here is how the process works, according to the IFAF:

The Tokyo 2020 Additional Event Programme Panel will now examine each application and a shortlist will be established which will lead to a further phase of review

Phase II will include the submission of further details from the shortlisted IFs and a presentation to the Additional Event Programme Panel will take place in Tokyo.

The Additional Event Programme Panel will propose its recommendations to the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, which will make a final decision on the successful event(s) to be proposed to the IOC.

The final decision, in line with the Olympic Charter, will be made by the 129th IOC Session in Rio in August 2016.

So what exactly is the IFAF? The IFAF is composed of 64 member nations on six continents (North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania), all of which possess national federations dedicated solely to American football. Their mission is to promote football across the globe. They hold championships for men and women of all ages from all over the world.