‘An experience I’m going to remember for the rest of my life’

Jackson Tachinski: future Olympian?

Those prospects got a lot brighter for the Winnipegger on Sunday when the Canadian men’s flag football team won bronze at the IFAF World Flag Football Championships in Germany.

Tachinski was a key cog throughout a run that ended with a thrilling 34-26 overtime victory over Mexico that secured Canada’s spot at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, where flag football will debut on the biggest stage in sports.

“It was awesome. We were in overtime, and we got the ball first, and we ended up scoring and getting a two-point convert. We knew the defence just had to make a few plays and get a stop and we’d (win). Just seeing the ball go up in the air and (Montreal’s Guillaume Béland) came down with the interception, it was an unreal feeling. Just straight euphoria,” Tachinski told the Free Press shortly after returning home.

“It was definitely an experience I’m going to remember for the rest of my life.”

Tachinski made three grabs for 30 yards in the bronze medal game. The 24-year-old, who spent five years as a dual-threat quarterback with the Manitoba Bisons, was used in a lot of two-quarterback sets throughout the tournament, which often forced opposing teams to rush two players to account for the 6-4, 215-pounder.

He wound up being a decoy on many of those plays, but that opened up the field for his teammates downfield.

Tachinski did, however, rush for a touchdown against Japan in the group stage and haul in a receiving touchdown against Italy in the semifinal.

“It was super cool, especially because each country kind of has their own play style,” Tachinski said of playing some of the top teams in the world.

“We got to play Japan, and we got to play Austria, and everybody plays different, and they all get coached differently. We watched so much film on these teams, trying to figure out our game plan for them, so being able to actually play them in person, and I’m not watching them on screen, it was really cool.”

“It was super cool, especially because each country kind of has their own play style.”

Shortly after the men grabbed their seat, the Canadian women punched their ticket to the Games with a 27-20 triumph over the U.S., which capped an unblemished tournament for the program.

Unlike the women, the Canadian men used up nearly all their lives to secure their place in L.A. After finishing the preliminary stage with a 2-1 record, they defeated American Samoa 24-14 before falling to Italy 41-36 in the semifinals. While only two quotas were up for grabs, the United States’ run to the gold medal game meant the bronze medal-winning team would also join Italy and the hosting country.

The remaining three quotas for each gender will be awarded during the Olympic Q-Series in June 2028.

Tachinski was one of the latest additions to the senior men’s team. He joined after participating in training camp with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Earlier this week, Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea expressed how pleased he was to see the country will be well-represented on the gridiron in two years.

“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.”

“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. I tried to tune in on whatever channels they were on and watched a bit of it when I could. But I’m just so excited for both clubs and the coaches.”

O’Shea could also be watching some of his players in the much-less violent version of the sport when the time comes, as players from the CFL and NFL will be permitted to play at the Olympics. How many throw their name in the hat and are actually selected to their respective country’s team remains to be seen, but it’s possible that this iteration of Team Canada could look a lot different in two years.

“I’m enjoying the moment right now, but you definitely think about it. I mean, two years is a long time away, so anything can really happen. But I think we welcome those players if they want to play,” Tachinski said.

“I think whatever gives the country its best shot will end up being made, but at the same time, it’s a different sport so there’s going to be some adjustments they’ll have to make. But I’m sure a bunch of those guys would be great flag players.”

For now, Tachinski will bask in this victory and take some time away from the field. The Canadians will gather again in the next couple of months for more practices.

The countdown is on.

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