WASHINGTON, D.C. â Following the International Olympic Committee (IOC) vote this week to eliminate wrestling from the Olympic Games, a group of U.S. lawmakers introduced resolutions urging the IOC to reverse its decision.
U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Al Franken (D-MN), Bob Casey (D-PA), Tom Harkin (D-IA), and James Inhofe (R-OK) today introduced a Senate resolution to oppose and urge the IOC to reverse the decision. U.S. Reps. Dave Loebsack (IA-02), Jim Jordan (OH-04) and Tim Walz (MN-01) introduced a companion resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives today.
âWrestling is a historical heavyweight among Olympic sports, and has a proud tradition in my state of Ohio,â Brown said. âFrom youth wrestling camps and high school meets to NCAA tournamentsâathletes in Ohio have learned the strength, discipline, and focus that allow grapplers to succeed both on the mat and in life. This sport is accessible to everyone around the world, regardless of their financial circumstances. The IOC should not ratify this preliminary decision by its executive board.â
Brown said wrestling is one of the original sports in the ancient Olympic Games in Greece and was also included in the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. The U.S. Olympic wrestling teams â including freestyle and Greco-Roman â are our nationâs third-most successful Summer Games sport, amassing more than 120 medals.
The IOC Executive Boardâs vote announced on Tuesday is a preliminary recommendation. The final decision will be made in September 2013 when the entire IOC votes on the final program.
U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Al Franken (D-MN), Bob Casey (D-PA), Tom Harkin (D-IA), and James Inhofe (R-OK) today introduced a Senate resolution to oppose and urge the IOC to reverse the decision. U.S. Reps. Dave Loebsack (IA-02), Jim Jordan (OH-04) and Tim Walz (MN-01) introduced a companion resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives today.
âWrestling is a historical heavyweight among Olympic sports, and has a proud tradition in my state of Ohio,â Brown said. âFrom youth wrestling camps and high school meets to NCAA tournamentsâathletes in Ohio have learned the strength, discipline, and focus that allow grapplers to succeed both on the mat and in life. This sport is accessible to everyone around the world, regardless of their financial circumstances. The IOC should not ratify this preliminary decision by its executive board.â
Brown said wrestling is one of the original sports in the ancient Olympic Games in Greece and was also included in the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. The U.S. Olympic wrestling teams â including freestyle and Greco-Roman â are our nationâs third-most successful Summer Games sport, amassing more than 120 medals.
The IOC Executive Boardâs vote announced on Tuesday is a preliminary recommendation. The final decision will be made in September 2013 when the entire IOC votes on the final program.