Senators urge Olympic Committee to reconsider ending wrestling

Late last week, the Senate passed a resolution expressing opposition to the IOC’s decision and recommended that the committee reconsider.

{mosads}Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Carl Levin (D-Mich.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) co-sponsored the resolution. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) introduced a companion resolution in the House.

Last month, the IOC Executive Board announced its preliminary recommendation to eliminate wrestling from the Olympics by the 2020 Games. The entire IOC will weigh in and make the final decision in September.

The Senate resolution pointed out that wrestling was one of the original sports in the ancient Olympic Games and that it’s one America is very successful at.

“The sport has meant so much to so many Ohioans — teaching discipline, strength, and a fierce competitiveness both in athletics and in life,” Brown said.