Wrestling takes step towards Games rehabilitation

SAINT-PETERSBURG (AFP) –

Wrestling’s chances of regaining its place on the Olympic sports roster moved a step closer on Wednesday as the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) included it in a shortlist of three to be voted on in September by the wider membership.

Wrestling’s chances of regaining its place on the Olympic sports roster moved a step closer on Wednesday as the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) included it in a shortlist of three to be voted on in September by the wider membership.

Wrestling is one of the Olympics’ most historic sports but was surprisingly voted off the list in February by the same Executive Board.

It will compete against squash and a joint softball/baseball bid in Buenos Aires on September 8.

Both softball and baseball were voted off as separate sports in 2009 and replaced by golf and rugby sevens, which will each make their debuts in 2016,

Only one sport will be added to the roster.

Wrestling federation president Nenad Lalovic, who has spearheaded the campaign to regain their place since taking over after the decision to oust it, used a wrestling analogy to describe where they stood.

“The match is not finished, we heard that we got a second match to fight,” said the Serbian.

“But be careful because we are still fighters.”

Wrestling, one of the rare sports to transcend the ancient and modern Games, has introduced a sweeping range of reforms under Lalovic since it was voted off.

“For sure, it (the reforms) helps us,” he said.

“We had to do it much earlier. Probably, we wouldn’t have been in such a position.”

Squash great Nicol David, who appeared as part of the presentation team, was ecstatic at the result.

“This is a great day for Squash as it takes us one step closer to realising our long held ambition to join the Olympic Games,” said the seven-time women’s world champion.

“I said to the Executive Board that the one big regret in my career is that I have never had the chance to compete in the Olympic Games, but I would happily trade all my seven world titles for the chance of Olympic Gold.

“Hopefully that showed what competing in the Games means to me,” added David, who will be 37 should squash win the spot for the 2020 Games.

IOC President Jacques Rogge, who himself will be replaced in September when he steps down after 12 years in charge, said that all the sports had given a good account of themselves to him and his fellow 14 members of the Executive Board.

“The Executive Board received excellent presentations today from eight International Federations,” said Rogge.

“It was never going to be an easy decision but I feel my colleagues on the Board made a good decision in selecting baseball/softball, squash and wrestling to be put forward in Buenos Aires.

“I wish the three shortlisted sports the best of luck in the run-up to the vote in September and would like to thank the other sports for their hard work and dedication.”

Five other sports failed to get on the shortlist after making their presentations to the Executive Board: climbing, karate – which had been thought to be in with a good chance of making the list – martial art wushu, wakeboard – a nautical sport – and roller sports.