Lawmakers pleased wrestling stays in Olympics

by Julian Hattem - 09/08/13 6:54 PM ET

{mosads}That announcement pleased lawmakers like Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Rep. Tom Latham (R-Iowa) who had pushed for the panel to ensure that the sport, which was taken out of the games in February, would be included.

Glad the Olympic Committee came to its senses and kept wrestling for 2020 and 2024 games #Olympics

— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) September 8, 2013

A great and hard fought victory to #SaveOlympicWrestling that many Iowans can proudly say they played a role! http://t.co/IgRCiWbeFK

— Tom Latham (@TomLatham) September 8, 2013

A number of legislators in Congress had signed on to resolutions in both chambers urging the IOC to keep wrestling in the games.

The measure that passed the Senate in March noted that the athletic event was “one of the world’s oldest competitive sports” and said that it “represents the determination and hard work it takes to succeed in life and sport.”

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) was one of the cosponsors of that resolution. He, too, was pleased that the IOC changed its course.

Thx to Olympic Comm for retaining Wrestling in future contests Whether it was bc of my Senate Resolution or whatever “thanks”

— ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) September 8, 2013

Rep. Dave Loebsack (R-Iowa) led the House’s effort to oppose the Olympic committee’s decision, though that measure never made it to the full chamber.

Still, he seemed glad that wrestlers will be able to compete in 2020.