IOC drops wrestling from 2020 Olympics

[nrj]

Wrestling is to be dropped from the programme of the 2020 Games, the International Olympic Committee executive board recommended Tuesday.

The IOC leaders' move was seen a surprise as modern pentathlon had appeared the most vulnerable sport as the IOC reviewed the 26 current summer sports.

The final decision, seen as a formality, will be made by the IOC Session in September in Buenos Aires where wrestling can also seek to be included again, along with seven other sports.

"The EB recommended that wrestling not be included on the list of core sports," the IOC said in a statement.

"Wrestling will now join the seven shortlisted sports — baseball/softball, karate, roller sports, sport climbing, squash, wakeboarding and wushu — vying for inclusion in the 2020 Olympic programme as an additional sport." Wrestling had 18 medal events (11 freestyle, seven Greco—Roman) at the London 2012 edition, with Russia the most successful nation with four golds, two silvers and five bronze and 38 nations winning medals.

"In an effort to ensure the Olympic Games remain relevant to sports fans of all generations, the Olympic programme commission systematically reviews every sport following each edition of the Games," the IOC said.

Baseball and softball were dropped after Athens 2008, and ruby sevens and golf will be added for Rio de Janeiro 2016.

The additional sport elected in September brings the number of summer sports back to 28. The EB will make recommendation after meetings in May in which all bidders will make a presentation.

The IOC has made efforts to reach out to a younger audience in recent years by becoming more flexible with the Olympic programme.

The programme commission takes various factors from global popularity and television ratings to anti—doping measures into account.

Modern pentathlon was seen as the weakest link even though it was created by Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics; bringing together the skills of a soldier — riding, fencing, swimming, shooting and running — and on the Olympic programme since 1912.

The governing body UIPM has made great strides to make the event formerly held over five days more appealing. The London 2012 edition was held over one day at various locations and there are now plans to host all events in one arena.

The Hindu : Sport / Other Sports : IOC drops wrestling from 2020 Olympics

 

[Ray]

Badminton on list of Olympics sports which may be axed
The future of wrestling, modern pentathlon, taekwondo and table tennis will also be discussed by the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee.

Badminton on list of Olympics sports which may be axed | Other Sports - Badminton | NDTVSports.com

 

[datguy79]

If Tokyo gets 2020, then karate will be in for sure.

 

[Coalmine]

Wrestling must remain an Olympics event

By Narendra Modi on February 14, 2013

Wrestling must remain an Olympics event | Niti Central

I would like to extend my greetings to everyone on the occasion of Basant Panchami. May Goddess Saraswati bless us with infinite knowledge and wisdom! Whenever there has been the era of knowledge, it is India that has shown the way to the world. The 21st century is a century of knowledge and with the blessings of Ma Saraswati, may our nation yet again show the way forward to humankind.
This morning I met former Indian cricket captain and one of the greatest Indian sportsmen Kapil Dev in Gandhinagar. We all remember the Indian Cricket Team led by Kapil Dev lifting the cricket World Cup in 1983 — it is an event that is etched in the memory of every Indian!

In Gujarat, the last month has been an extremely sporty one! Yesterday I attended the concluding ceremony of Khel Mahakumbh 2012-2013. It was wonderful to be among the most talented sportspersons from all over Gujarat. People cutting across age groups immersed themselves in this unique sports extravaganza that celebrates sports and sportsmanship.

When we commenced the Khel Mahakumbh during Gujarat's golden jubilee year, we had 13 lakh athletes participating in the various events. Today, in a span of three years that figure has increased to over 25 lakh, which includes over 8 lakh women athletes who added greater strength to the Khel Mahakumbh. A total of 72 records were broken during the Khel Mahakumbh out of which 43 were by sportsmen whereas our sportswomen broke 29 records!

This year's Khel Mahakumbh saw over 92,000 specially-abled athletes participate in various sporting events. To see them shine on the sports field is one of the most satisfying aspects of the Khel Mahakumbh. Each and every one of them has overcome several obstacles to reach this point and I wholeheartedly salute them for their grit and their 'never-say-die spirit! It is truly an inspiration for every one of us.

We are making every effort to promote a culture of sports among the specially-abled. Last year, the Special Olympics family wrote to us acknowledging the true spirit of the Khel Mahakumbh. During the ceremony yesterday I felicitated Maya Devipujak, a specially-abled athlete from Gujarat who won the gold medal at the World Winter Games (Special Olympics) that were held in South Korea recently. Her humble background did not prevent her from determinedly pursuing her dreams and scaling great heights of accomplishments and I can say that the entire Gujarat is proud of her achievement.

Had it not been for the longest election code of conduct in Gujarat through the last part of 2012, we would have held the Khel Mahakumbh in 2012 itself. However, this year we will have two Khel Mahakumbhs — one that just concluded and the 2013 Khel Mahakumbh later this year. Apart from giving a boost to sports, Khel Mahakumbh also looks at capacity-building on the sports field. We are not only looking at players but also all facets associated with sports.

As far as sports are concerned, there is one issue that has been bothering me for the last few days. I was dismayed to read that the International Olympic Committee is thinking of dropping wrestling from the Olympics from 2020 that too on the flimsy pretext of 'modernity'. A game that has been a part of human civilisation from times immemorial is going to be dropped from the world's most prestigious sporting event on the grounds of 'modernity.' There can be no bigger insult to sports. There is no room for such 'games' in sports!

In India, Kushti has been mentioned since the times of the Mahabharata. In the Olympics as well, several Asian nations have been doing very well in the sport. Thus, it is our duty that all Asian nations — Governments and people alike must join ranks and stand shoulder to shoulder to oppose this unilateral and unfortunate decision. We do not need to be wrestlers to speak out against this. As lovers of sports, we need to raise our protest. And we should not wait till September 2013 when the final decision will be taken. We must act now!

I hope the IOC takes a decision that is in the interest of sports and the players and not one driven by any other considerations.

 

[rock127]

Badminton on list of Olympics sports which may be axed
The future of wrestling, modern pentathlon, taekwondo and table tennis will also be discussed by the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee.

Badminton on list of Olympics sports which may be axed | Other Sports - Badminton | NDTVSports.com

So which sports are they going to include? Belly/Pole Dancing as sports in 2020?

 

[W.G.Ewald]

Ancient Sports

The ancient Olympics were rather different from the modern Games. There were fewer events, and only free men who spoke Greek could compete, instead of athletes from any country. Also, the games were always held at Olympia instead of moving around to different sites every time.

Boxing
Equestrian events
Chariot racing
Riding
Pankration
Pentathlon
Discus
Javelin
Jump
Running
Wrestling
Running
Wrestling