Olympic Wrestling Lives On

[Jack LaBarge]

The IOC has announced that wrestling has made the most recent cut for inclusion in the 2020 games.

Olympic wrestling lives to fight another day!

The IOC executive board just announced three sports as finalists for inclusion in the 2020 Olympic games. Joining wrestling are baseball/softball and squash (sorry wakeboarding, wushsu, and roller sports).

This was a huge hurdle to jump, but wrestling is not safe yet. In September in Argentina, the assembled IOC will determine which of these three "shortlist" sports will see the Olympic program in 2020, if any. Wrestling will only need a simple majority of the IOC's 100 plus members, and then this nightmare is over.

Until then, I recommend to continue to show support for the cause of keeping wrestling in the Olympics. Follow FILA and other wrestling related content on social media, and find a way to watch the world team trials which will take place in the next couple months. The new rules, probably a big part of this IOC decision, have really made the sport a joy to watch.

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2013/5/29...aseball-squash

[Kurzy]

I can't believe they ever considered removing it. Pfft. Thanks for the good news!

[Brent Smith]

The only sport I'm halfway worried about that wrestling is going against is baseball. I still think wrestling beats it though.

[Robert Carlin]

As far as I am aware Baseball has a predominantly U.S and Japanese following but there doesn't seem to be worldwide interest. I agree with Kurzy, the olympic commitee should be shot for considering dropping wrestling at all. Especially with the worldwide impact MMA has had and with Wrestling's increased popularity.