North Allegheny Athletic Director Praises Wrestling in Wake of Decision to Drop Sport from 2020 Olympics

Tuesday's decision by the International Olympic committee to cut wrestling from the games in 2020 stunned the world's wrestlers, who see their sport as popular in many countries and steeped in history as old as the Olympics themselves, ESPN reported.  

According to IOC documents obtained by the Associated Press , wrestling ranked "low" in several key categories:

• Popularity with the public at the London Games
• Global TV audience
• Internet coverage
• Press coverage

North Allegheny Athletic Director Bob Bozzuto suggests the IOC is making a mistake.

"Since the birth of the Olympics, wrestling has had an integral role in the Games," he said. "The tradition of wrestling competition in which you have two people exerting strength, quickness, finesse as well as physical and mental discipline is a large part of what makes the Games and competition so very special."

Bozzuto said it takes a special type of athlete to become a wrestler.

"Wrestling is a sport that demands dedication, determination, desire and the discipline of its participants to reach the attainment of excellence." he said. "Wrestling is one sport in which one can represent his country and based one’s conditioning, technique, and will to succeed, can bring honor to both the participant and his country."

What do you think of the decision to drop wrestling from the 2020 Olympic games? Share your thoughts in the comments box below.

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