Winning flag football world championship, clinching Olympic berth 'surreal' for Winnipegger

Winnipegger Jackson Tachinski says he was overcome with emotion when Canada's men's flag football team put itself in the history books over the weekend. 

Tachinski and the team won bronze at the IFAF World Flag Football Championships in Dusseldorf, Germany, defeating Mexico 34-26 on Sunday. The game ended in dramatic fashion, as Guillaume Béland picked off a Mexico pass to help Canada seal the victory in overtime. 

The win helped Canada punch its ticket to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where flag football will be an event for the first time.

"After that interception, it was pretty emotional," Tachinski said.

"It was definitely an experience that I can't really describe," he said. "Just being able to be there in that moment, it was so cool. I wish everyone could experience that feeling. It was so surreal."

Tachinski said he's "still kind of speechless" about the win.

While it's still two years away, being able to play for Canada at the Olympics would be special, he said. 

Canadian flag football teams qualify for Olympics

"I think it'd be an awesome experience," Tachinski said. "Even just being in the Olympic Village and part of that setting. Even just being here at the [world championship], it was amazing." 

Canada's women's team is also headed to the Olympics. They beat the U.S. 27-20 on Sunday to cap off an undefeated run. Quarterback Sara Parker was named the most valuable player of the tournament. 

In Winnipeg, Blue Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea had high praise for both teams after Monday's practice. 

"Tremendously proud," he said.

"I don't want to say envious or [jealous], it's just that idea of being able to represent your country, it carries so much weight for me," he said. "I tried to tune in on whatever