Why Was Wrestling Taken Out of the Olympics?By Coder| August 31, 2023 Wrestling The decision to remove wrestling from the Olympics was met with shock and disappointment by fans, athletes, and officials alike. Wrestling has been a part of the Olympics since ancient times, making it one of the oldest sports in history. So why was wrestling taken out of the Olympics? Changing Times One of the main reasons for wrestling’s removal was a shift in focus towards more modern and commercially appealing sports. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) aims to attract a younger audience and increase revenue through television rights and sponsorship deals. As a result, they decided to make room for sports that have higher viewership and greater commercial potential. Lack of Global Appeal Wrestling’s popularity varies greatly across different regions of the world. While it has a strong following in countries like Russia, Iran, and the United States, it struggles to gain traction in other parts of the globe. This lack of global appeal played a significant role in its removal from the Olympics. Format Changes The IOC also expressed concerns about wrestling’s format and rules. They believed that it needed modernization to make it more exciting for spectators. As a result, wrestling underwent several changes in an attempt to address these concerns. However, these changes were not enough to convince the IOC that wrestling could keep up with other fast-paced sports. Lobbying Efforts In addition to these factors, lobbying efforts from other sports seeking inclusion or reinstatement played a role in wrestling’s removal from the Olympic program. These sports presented arguments suggesting that their inclusion would better align with current trends and appeal more to younger generations. Conclusion While many people argue that removing wrestling from the Olympics is unjustified due to its historical significance and global participation, the decision ultimately came down to the IOC’s pursuit of increased revenue and modernization. Wrestling’s exclusion from the Olympics serves as a reminder that even long-standing and traditional sports can be subject to change in the pursuit of growth and commercial success.
