Wrestling is one of the oldest sports known to man. Wrestling has been around for longer than just about any sport that has ever participated in the Olympics. Wrestling has been around since 708bc when it was a part of the first Olympics ever. On February 12th, 2013 the IOC decided to drop Olympic Wrestling from ever participating in the Olympics again. People all around the world were shocked by the decision of the IOC, and dreams were shattered across the world. Former USA wrestler and bronze medalist for the Olympic team Colman Scott seemed very discouraged when having to talk about the subject he says, As I near the end of my career in competitive wrestling at the age of 26, I see what the sport has done for me, it makes me hurt for the younger generations that may not get to chase their dream. Youngsters around the world grow up telling themselves they want to be an Olympic champion in 2020, and now this dream may be shattered.
FILA (International Wrestling Federation) is going to try to do whatever it takes to get the sport back, and petitions all around the country are getting signed every day. IOC spokesman Mark Adams said, 'Today's decision is not final.”(Switzerland) Meaning the wrestling community is going to have to come together and fight for their sport back. 'It just seems like wrestling -- if we don't fight, we're going to die. At this point, it's time for everybody to man up and support the program." Former Olympic Champion Rulon Gardner states.(Switzerland)
The sport of wrestling is extremely Global, and more than 200 countries world participate in sport. Just in the US there are over 250,000 thousand young men and women who wrestle. Also there were 70 country’s represented in the Olympic Games, 29 of those country’s came home with at least one medal. “We are a diverse sport that young kids participate in everywhere -- all you need is a mat and some shoes” (Coleman