Wrestling Out Of Olympics 2/12/13
By: Scott Leber
Updated: February 12, 2013
Rockford, Illinois-The International Olympic committee has voted to remove wrestling as an Olympic sport starting in 2020.
IOC representatives say the sport is no longer one of the Games core sports. They say it has dropped in popularity and participation.
Local wrestlers and coaches in the Stateline were stunned by the news.
Harlem assistant wrestling coach Ron Hamilton was asked by WTVO what his reaction was when he heard the news. "The apocalypse can't be far behind. Wrestling is the oldest sport in history," said Hamilton. "People have been successful in life because of what they learn in wrestling. It's ludicrous that they would eliminate it."
"Having Olympic wrestling is a good idea because it gives us wrestlers something to look forward to," says Harlem state champion wrestler Jordan Northrup. "And now taking it away just kind of takes everything away from us."
Wrestling joins several other sports that have lost their Olympic status in recent years. They include baseball, softball and karate.
One of the sports that has been voted out could be voted back in by the IOC in the future, but at the moment it's not looking good for wrestling.
IOC representatives say the sport is no longer one of the Games core sports. They say it has dropped in popularity and participation.
Local wrestlers and coaches in the Stateline were stunned by the news.
Harlem assistant wrestling coach Ron Hamilton was asked by WTVO what his reaction was when he heard the news. "The apocalypse can't be far behind. Wrestling is the oldest sport in history," said Hamilton. "People have been successful in life because of what they learn in wrestling. It's ludicrous that they would eliminate it."
"Having Olympic wrestling is a good idea because it gives us wrestlers something to look forward to," says Harlem state champion wrestler Jordan Northrup. "And now taking it away just kind of takes everything away from us."
Wrestling joins several other sports that have lost their Olympic status in recent years. They include baseball, softball and karate.
One of the sports that has been voted out could be voted back in by the IOC in the future, but at the moment it's not looking good for wrestling.
