Cities in New York, Iowa, Colorado, and Washington to host 2008 Olympic Regional Trials

USA Wrestling will host four Olympic Regional Trials during the 2008 season, providing an opportunity for U.S. wrestlers to pursue their dream of competing in the Olympic Games.

"USA Wrestling is excited to announce our Olympic Trials process," Director for National Events Pete Isais said. "We feel that we have selected diverse locations which will provide quality chances for athletes to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials for wrestling."

The Olympic Regional Trials for men's freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling are in:
- Battle Ground, Wash. (March 28-30)
- Brockport, N.Y. (April 4-6)
- Waterloo, Iowa (May 8-10)
- Pueblo, Colo. (May 15-17)

Waterloo, Iowa will also host the only Olympic Regional Trials in women's freestyle on May 8-10, which features competition in the four Olympic weight classes.

Winners in each weight division will earn a berth in the Challenge Tournament at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Las Vegas, Nev., June 13-15 and the chance to be a part of the Olympic team.

Olympic Regional Trials are open to all competitors who meet the age and citizenship requirements for competition. Athletes must be U.S. citizens. Men 18 years of age and older on or before Dec. 31, 2008 are eligible to enter into the Olympics Trials process. Women 17 years and older on or before Dec. 31, 2008 are also eligible.

There are other ways to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in addition to the four Olympic Regional Trials. Among the other qualifying events are the U.S. Nationals, University Nationals, the Interservice Championships, and Women's College Nationals. For complete information on athlete selection procedures for the U.S. Olympic Trials for wrestling please download the following PDF files:
2008 Olympic Games Athlete Selection Procedures - Men's Freestyle
2008 Olympic Games Athlete Selection Procedures - Greco-Roman
2008 Olympic Games Athlete Selection Procedures - Woman's Freestyle

Each trial is hosted in conjunction with existing USA Wrestling Regional Championships in other age groups.

The U.S. Olympic Trials for wrestling are set for Las Vegas, Nev., June 13-15 at the Thomas and Mack Center on the campus of Nevada-Las Vegas. The event will determine which U.S. athlete will compete in each weight class at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.

For more information please visit www.themat.com.