Will Wrestling Be in the Next Olympics?

Will Wrestling Be in the Next Olympics?

Introduction:

Wrestling, an ancient sport that has been a part of the Olympic Games since its inception in 1896, faced uncertainty in recent years. In 2013, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) made the surprising decision to remove wrestling from the core program of the Games.

This decision sent shockwaves through the wrestling community and sparked a global movement to reinstate the sport. Let’s delve deeper into this issue and explore whether wrestling will be included in the next Olympics.

The Fight for Reinstatement:

Following the IOC’s decision, various wrestling federations, athletes, and fans rallied together to save their beloved sport. The international wrestling community launched an extensive campaign to showcase wrestling’s cultural and historical significance. They emphasized its universality, gender equality, and its ability to foster discipline, respect, and teamwork among athletes.

List of achievements:

• Wrestling is one of the oldest sports known to mankind.
• It has been a part of every modern Olympic Games except for 1900.
• Wrestling promotes fair play and sportsmanship.
• It provides opportunities for athletes from various nations to compete on a global stage.

The Reinstatement:

The efforts put forth by the wrestling community eventually paid off. In September 2013, just seven months after being removed from the core program of the Olympics, wrestling was granted provisional reinstatement. This meant that it would remain on the program for both the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics while it competed against other sports for inclusion in future Games.

The New Olympic Agenda:

The IOC underwent significant reforms in recent years to revitalize the Olympic Movement. As part of this process, the organization introduced the Olympic Agenda 2020, which aimed to make the Games more flexible, sustainable, and appealing to younger audiences.

Criteria for inclusion:

1. Sports must be popular among youth and have a broad global appeal.
2. Sports should promote gender equality and inclusivity.
3. Sports should align with sustainable development goals.

Wrestling’s Future:

Considering wrestling’s rich history and its ability to meet the criteria set forth by the Olympic Agenda 2020, it seems likely that wrestling will continue to be a part of future Olympics. The sport has made significant strides in increasing inclusivity by adding more weight classes for women and implementing rule changes to provide equal opportunities for both genders.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, while wrestling faced an uncertain future after being removed from the core program of the Olympics in 2013, its reinstatement as a provisional sport marked a victory for the wrestling community. With its historical significance, universality, and efforts towards gender equality, wrestling is well-positioned to remain a staple in future Olympic Games. The sport’s ability to adapt to changing times and meet the criteria outlined by the Olympic Agenda 2020 bodes well for its continued inclusion at the highest level of international competition.