The International Olympic Committee recently recommended that wrestling
be removed from the Olympics as soon as the 2020 summer games. This
controversial decision has been widely criticized as this is a sport
that not only was part of the ancient Olympic games, but also have been a
part of the modern Olympic games since the first games in 1896.
Despite vehement protests from the wrestling world, the IOC claims that its decision is based on their goal of keeping the games as "relevant" as possible for spectators around the world. It's a curious decision that affects thousands of athletes worldwide, including the many young wrestlers in the United States that compete at the high school level and the collegiate level, robbing these athletes of their Olympic potential.
If we take a look back, we see that the modern games have always included wrestling, as well as cycling, fencing, shooting, gymnastics, swimming, weightlifting, cycling, rowing, sailing, and athletics, which includes the various track and field events such as hurdles and shot put. Aside from wrestling, every one of these events will be featured in the 2020 Olympics. Quite frankly, it's hard to imagine that rowing and fencing are more relevant events that draw a larger audience.
Let's consider that there are easily several other sports that probably deserve elimination before the IOC dumps wrestling or any of the other earliest sports. Not to impugn the work of other athletes, but do we really need badminton as an Olympic sport? It's a lot of fun to play in one's backyard, but is it really worthy of being part of the Olympics? Handball is yet another example of a sport that is certainly fun to play and quite difficult at the competitive level, but do we really want to dump wrestling for something that is essentially a playground sport?
We could also eliminate a sport such as synchronized swimming. While I am sure people love it and it looks pretty cool, consider the fact that only five colleges or universities in the United States have varsity-level synchronized swim teams. There are more than 220 intercollegiate wrestling programs in the United States just in the NCAA alone, including 85 Division 1 programs. Just to keep things in perspective, there are only 25 NCAA Division 1 fencing teams in the country and less than 50 in all, but the IOC isn't eliminating fencing. It's hard to imagine that more people tune in to watching fencing with protective gear and safety tips than an actual one-on-one contact sport.
There is certainly no way for the IOC to ever make everyone happy. Someone's favorite and much beloved sport is always on the chopping block. However, the IOC does need to keep in mind that not only is wrestling highly popular worldwide; it has the history and significance behind it to make it worthy of permanent inclusion at the Olympic Games.
Despite vehement protests from the wrestling world, the IOC claims that its decision is based on their goal of keeping the games as "relevant" as possible for spectators around the world. It's a curious decision that affects thousands of athletes worldwide, including the many young wrestlers in the United States that compete at the high school level and the collegiate level, robbing these athletes of their Olympic potential.
If we take a look back, we see that the modern games have always included wrestling, as well as cycling, fencing, shooting, gymnastics, swimming, weightlifting, cycling, rowing, sailing, and athletics, which includes the various track and field events such as hurdles and shot put. Aside from wrestling, every one of these events will be featured in the 2020 Olympics. Quite frankly, it's hard to imagine that rowing and fencing are more relevant events that draw a larger audience.
Let's consider that there are easily several other sports that probably deserve elimination before the IOC dumps wrestling or any of the other earliest sports. Not to impugn the work of other athletes, but do we really need badminton as an Olympic sport? It's a lot of fun to play in one's backyard, but is it really worthy of being part of the Olympics? Handball is yet another example of a sport that is certainly fun to play and quite difficult at the competitive level, but do we really want to dump wrestling for something that is essentially a playground sport?
We could also eliminate a sport such as synchronized swimming. While I am sure people love it and it looks pretty cool, consider the fact that only five colleges or universities in the United States have varsity-level synchronized swim teams. There are more than 220 intercollegiate wrestling programs in the United States just in the NCAA alone, including 85 Division 1 programs. Just to keep things in perspective, there are only 25 NCAA Division 1 fencing teams in the country and less than 50 in all, but the IOC isn't eliminating fencing. It's hard to imagine that more people tune in to watching fencing with protective gear and safety tips than an actual one-on-one contact sport.
There is certainly no way for the IOC to ever make everyone happy. Someone's favorite and much beloved sport is always on the chopping block. However, the IOC does need to keep in mind that not only is wrestling highly popular worldwide; it has the history and significance behind it to make it worthy of permanent inclusion at the Olympic Games.
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