In a move that has blindsided many in the Olympic community the IOC has decided to drop Wrestling from the 2020 Olympic Games.
The events that made the final cut above Wrestling are Pentathlon, Taekwondo and field hockey. Sure, I was one who loved catching the Women’s field hockey games on obscure NBC stations during the last Olympic games but in no way could someone value that above wrestling. Wrestling has been a part of the Olympics since 1896 and has roots dating back to Roman and Greek games.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver, and HS wrestling state champion, Roddy White voiced his displeasure with the IOC and their decision via Twitter:
IOC come on seriously wrestling is a sport that almost every country does and you drop it I’m pissed #saveolympicwrestling
— Roddy White (@roddywhiteTV) February 12, 2013
FILA, the group that governs wrestling internationally, plans to appeal the IOC’s decision when the panel meets in September. For now it looks as though one of the biggest HS and collegiate sports in our country will be without its ultimate platform for the near future.