Wrestling Cut 2020 Summer Olympics by International Olympic Committee, Unlikely for Decision to be Reversed by September

NATE GARCIA
Assistant Sports Editor

The Olympic Games originatec from ancient Greek culture, where men would participate in several different tournaments and compete to be the best. One of the sports that has endured through its long history includes wrestling, which was recently cut from the 2020 Olympic Games. The finalized decision was made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in a meeting on Feb. 12.
“This is a process of renewing and renovating the program for the Olympics,” IOC spokesman Mark Adams said in a Yahoo Sports article.
Wrestling was not the only sport on the slate that was considered being cut. The public expected the modern pentathlon to be eliminated, which is an event that involves running, swimming, equestrian, shooting and fencing.
In protest of the decision made by the IOC, former Bulgarian wrestler Valentin Yordanov returned the gold medal he won at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
“With this act, I express my solidarity with the millions of athletes and fans of [wrestling] who are condemning the recommendation of the IOC. Our sport [wrestling] is an integral part of the Olympic movement and of the foundations of the ancient and modern Olympics,” Yordanov said in a Yahoo! Sports Article.
The reason why wrestling was removed from the 2020 Olympics was to make way for possible new entries, such as golf, wakeboarding and climbing. The IOC has the option of reversing the elimination, however, it is highly unlikely since the final decision is to be made later this year in September.
“I don’t think it was a good idea for them to cut it from the 2020 Olympics because I believe it is the purest sport that has been around since the beginning of the games,” senior wrestler Victor Verduzco said.