USOC CEO Scott Blackmun today issued a statement regarding the IOC's decision to drop wrestling from the '20 Games program. The statement read in part, "Given the history and tradition of wrestling, and its popularity and universality, we were surprised when the decision was announced. It is important to remember that today's action is a recommendation, and we hope that there will be a meaningful opportunity to discuss the important role that wrestling plays in the sports landscape both in the United States and around the world. In the meantime, we will fully support USA Wrestling and its athletes."
Reaction to the IOC’s decision continues to be largely negative on Twitter. SI.com’s Michael Farber wrote, “IOC blows it. Ditching wrestling is like getting rid of one of the Original Six.” The L.A. Times’ Bill Plaschke: “A real stunner here..what is IOC thinking?..wrestling was one of first Olympic sports around 700 BC.” KNBR-AM’s Damon Bruce: “Dropping wrestling from the Olympics is like dropping race cars from the Indianapolis 500. It makes no sense at all.” Meanwhile, many Twitter users have begun tagging their pro-wrestling tweets with #SaveOlympicWrestling (THE DAILY).
