Wrestling has been an integral part of the Olympic Games since their inception. The character building, hard work, dedication, and sacrifice required to reach top competitive levels is the embodiment of the Olympic spirit itself. The elimination of wrestling as an Olympic sport is contrary to all that the Olympics represent and a blow to tens of thousands of dedicated scholastic wrestling participants and fans around the world.
One of the main reasons cited was low TV ratings. It should be noted that the low ratings were most likely the result of extremely poor coverage by the networks.
We urge the Olympic committee to recognize the importance of wrestling both to the Olympic tradition and the development of character and positive work ethics, and reinstate wresting.