IOC plans to drop Wrestling

[cbwrestler10]

It's not over. There is still room for wrestling, but it will have to beat out a few other sports. The Tennessee wrestling community isn't huge, but if everyone responds to this, than the IOC will listen. Two places to start

 

this petition

https://www.change.org/petitions/the-international-olympic-committee-save-wrestling-as-an-olympic-sport?utm_campaign=friend_inviter_chat&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition&utm_term=permissions_dialog_false

 

and this place to submit questions to the IOC

https://secure.registration.olympic.org/en/faq/ask-question

 

And if you are especially up to the task, write a letter to the IOC. Info is here

http://www.caelsanderson.com/latest-news/call-to-action-keep-olympic-wrestling/

[getreal2005]

I can't believe that the IOC would even consider dropping one of the oldest sports in existence today. Very disappointing to hear!

[maj]

I wish I could say I am surpised, but I am not. The sport has been under attack for decades in this country,only logical the corrupt IOC would follow the lead of the corrupt NCAA. First clue this was coming came when they dropped the number of weight classes.

I can't believe that the IOC would even consider dropping one of the oldest sports in existence today. Very disappointing to hear!

[ccleveland]

Like this Save Olympic Wrestling Facebook Page. Ever little bit counts.

 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Olympic-Wrestling/140684176096583?ref=stream

[coachknepper]

Completely ridiculous...this will have more of an economic impact from countries where they ONLY have International-style Wrestling. It won't affect the U.S. as much (imo). I can see countries BOYCOTTING the Olympics because of this, namely Turkey, Turkmenistan, Azerbajan, Iran, etc...

[jcddmoon]

This is bad for USA Wrestling. The sport has seemed to be on the rise. This is a big hit. We must ban together and do what we can.

 

This is really horrible for countrys like Azerbaijan.

 

So much for IOC's alleged standard of universality for sports:modern pentathlon had athletes from 26 countries in London; wrestling,71

— Philip Hersh (@olyphil) February 12, 2013

[silverpie]

One of the oldest (since 1896-modern) Over fencing & horse jumping?!?

 

Actually, fencing has been on every Olympic program back to 1896 along with track-and-field, swimming, and gymnastics. (Wrestling only missed out in 1900, which wasn't taken seriously by its hosts.) Not to attack wrestling, but don't mess with one of my other favorites.

 

Golf and rugby are on for 2016--they were not at issue. Baseball/softball, squash, roller skating, wushu, karate, climbing, and wakeboarding are the ones with which wrestling will be competing. (I think karate has no real chance--it needed taekwondo to be the eliminee.)

[coachknepper]

The problem is that Fencing and Equestrain are already individual sports with the Olympics...why the need for a "Modern Pentathalon" that features sports of the wealthy and elite.

 

Wrestling is a sport that all of humanity can participate in regardless of the country or stature they were born into.

[coachknepper]

From USA Wrestling:

 

Statement by USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender on the IOC Executive Committee announcement on wrestling

[/url]22

 

By Rich Bender USA Wrestling

02/12/2013

 

USA Wrestling is surprised and disappointed about today’s announcement concerning the International Olympic Committee Executive Board recommendation that wrestling not be a core sport included in the 2020 Olympic Games.

 

Wrestling is one of the sports of the original Greek Olympic Games and in the first modern Olympic Games. It is one of the most diverse sports in the world, with nearly 200 nations from all continents participating in wrestling. It is an inclusive sport which provides opportunities worldwide, regardless of geography, race, gender or physical characteristics.

 

We look forward to telling the story about wrestling to the International Committee leadership and the entire world about our great sport and why it should be part of the Olympic movement forever.

 

USA Wrestling pledges to be a leader in the international effort to insure that wrestling remains on the Olympic program. As we continue our leadership in expanding wrestling within our nation, we also will place our full resources and energy behind supporting wrestling on the international level.

 

- Rich Bender

USA Wrestling Executive Director

February 12, 2013

[reftn]

They should go back to the ancients and see what those "core" sports were.

[Indian]

Makes no sense, even with golf and rugby added there is no reason to drop a sport, especially wrestling. They aren't competing for time at the same venues, obviously, and swimming and gymnastics will still get most of the TV time so there's no scramble for that, either.

[jcddmoon]

Keep Wrestling in the Olympics Facebook page is reaching 10000 likes in less than 5 hours of existance. Keep it going.