Wrestling wins important Inside the Games poll as sport which should be in the 2020 Olympics
Share:
by Duncan Mackay Inside the Games
Wrestling has secured a winning 42.2 per cent of votes on the insidethegames poll asking the public to vote for the sport they think the International Olympic Committee (IOC) should vote to include on the Olympic programme for 2020.
The sport garnered 135,067 of the 319,944 total votes.
Wrestling was followed by squash with 102,388 votes, which translates to 32 per cent, and karate with 52,565 - 16.4 per cent.
Next came the joint bid between baseball and softball, which secured 4.7 per cent, 15,121 votes; sport climbing with 2.2 per cent, 7,123 votes; roller sports with 1.7 per cent, 5,415 votes; wushu with 0.4 per cent, 1,353 votes; and wakeboarding with 0.3 per cent, 912 votes.
International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA) President Nenad Lalovic welcomed the results, saying it was indicative of the global sporting community's backing of the sport for re-inclusion in the Olympic programme after it was controversially dropped from the Games after Rio 2016.
"The results of the insidethegames poll reflect the great support of the international sport community for wrestling," the Serb explained.
"This support comes not just from the wrestling sports family but from people who practice all kinds of sport.
"This entire experience helped wrestling improve and it also increased our visibility around the world.
"We are encouraged by all the messages of support we are receiving and this poll result is a great example.
"We remain hopeful that the decision of the Executive Board here at SportAccord [International Convention] will be one more step towards our goal: improve wrestling and remain part of the Olympic programme."
The eight bidding sports will present to the IOC Executive Board at its meeting tomorrow, which takes place during the SportAccord International Convention in St Petersburg, before the Board makes a decision on which of the sports to recommend for inclusion.
The IOC will then vote on whether to include one of the sports in the 2020 Olympic programme on September 8 this year at its 125th Session in Buenos Aires.
To see the full results, click here
Editor's Note: USA Wrestling and FILA thank the thousands of wrestling fans around the world and from the United States who spent the time to vote on this poll and show the world the popularity of wrestling and the passion of the wrestling community. Congratulations on a great job standing up for wrestling!!!
The sport garnered 135,067 of the 319,944 total votes.
Wrestling was followed by squash with 102,388 votes, which translates to 32 per cent, and karate with 52,565 - 16.4 per cent.
Next came the joint bid between baseball and softball, which secured 4.7 per cent, 15,121 votes; sport climbing with 2.2 per cent, 7,123 votes; roller sports with 1.7 per cent, 5,415 votes; wushu with 0.4 per cent, 1,353 votes; and wakeboarding with 0.3 per cent, 912 votes.
International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA) President Nenad Lalovic welcomed the results, saying it was indicative of the global sporting community's backing of the sport for re-inclusion in the Olympic programme after it was controversially dropped from the Games after Rio 2016.
"The results of the insidethegames poll reflect the great support of the international sport community for wrestling," the Serb explained.
"This support comes not just from the wrestling sports family but from people who practice all kinds of sport.
"This entire experience helped wrestling improve and it also increased our visibility around the world.
"We are encouraged by all the messages of support we are receiving and this poll result is a great example.
"We remain hopeful that the decision of the Executive Board here at SportAccord [International Convention] will be one more step towards our goal: improve wrestling and remain part of the Olympic programme."
The eight bidding sports will present to the IOC Executive Board at its meeting tomorrow, which takes place during the SportAccord International Convention in St Petersburg, before the Board makes a decision on which of the sports to recommend for inclusion.
The IOC will then vote on whether to include one of the sports in the 2020 Olympic programme on September 8 this year at its 125th Session in Buenos Aires.
To see the full results, click here
Editor's Note: USA Wrestling and FILA thank the thousands of wrestling fans around the world and from the United States who spent the time to vote on this poll and show the world the popularity of wrestling and the passion of the wrestling community. Congratulations on a great job standing up for wrestling!!!
Read More#
2025 Senior Pan American Procedures, 2025 Junior Pan American Games Procedures and 2025 Senior General World Team Trials Procedures now posted
Match Notes: U23 World Championships Day Three
Rodriguez, Janiak to wrestle for women’s freestyle gold, Simon for bronze at U20 World Championships
Rodriguez, Janiak reach semifinals, two eligible for repechage in Women’s freestyle at U20 World Championships
