Wrestling makes cut to final 3 Olympic candidates
In February, the International Olympic Committee’s Executive Board made an unfathomable, despicable recommendation to drop wrestling. In so doing, the…
In February, the International Olympic Committee’s Executive Board made an unfathomable, despicable recommendation to drop wrestling. In so doing, the IOC voted to maintain field hockey, rugby, golf, taekwondo, and modern pentathlon.
Wrestling was thus forced into a pool with wushu, wakeboarding, karate, rollersports, baseball/softball (they are making a joint bid), squash, and sports climbing as candidates for one empty spot in the list of 26 core sports. That pool has now been narrowed to three.
Kelly Whiteside from USA TODAY Sports has the story.
The International Olympic Committee’s executive board shortlisted three sports Wednesday for inclusion beginning with the 2020 Summer Games. Also competing for the single opening is baseball/softball and squash.
Clearly the IOC’s executive board, which met in St. Petersburg, Russia, was impressed with wrestling’s progress. Wrestling responded to the initial takedown with a relentless social media campaign and significant change.
The international governing body (FILA) elected a new president, included more women in decision-making roles, added two more women’s weight classes and adopted rule changes to make the sport easier to understand.
Its makeover also may include a few tricks borrowed from the MMA world (no more singlets, addition of music, lighting, visual effects) to make the sport more entertaining. Also, the USA, Iran and Russia formed an alliance to restore the sport, an impressive show of unity.
A final decision will be made in September after a full membership vote.