Olympics to Drop Wrestling in 2020

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted at a meeting on February 12th to drop both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling from the 2020 Summer Olympics.  It was thought that Modern Pentathlon,  a series of five events (3 km run, fencing, air pistol shooting, 200m freestyle swimming, and show jumping on a horse) might get the ax.  The Pentathlon has few fans outside eastern Europe, but it had much more influence (i.e. lobbyists) on the IOC than wrestling, and a backroom deal is suspected by many.

Wrestling is also popular in eastern Europe, probably more so than the Pentathlon.  The Russians, and before that, the Soviets, have had some very good teams.  It’s also popular with west and southwest Asian countries, such as Turkey.  It also has a good following in the U.S, particularly in the Midwest.   The best U.S. wrestler ever was Dan Gable, who went 118-1 in his college career at Iowa State.  In the 1972 Olympics, Gable did not allow a single point to any of his opponents on the way to the Gold Medal at Men’s Lightweight.   Gable went on to be a highly successful college coach.  He says he’ll be fighting the IOC decision, which will become official following a final vote in September.  Many other medal winners have voiced their support for continuing the sport, as has the Russian wrestling team.

Wrestling was one of the original sports in the modern Olympics, and has only been absent once, in the second games in 1900.  So it ends up on the chopping block while badmitten, dressage, synchronized swimming, and rhythmic gymnastics (where they parade around with ribbons and balls) remain.  Let’s hope the IOC comes to its senses before the final vote.