Washington County Petitioning Olympic Committee to Include Wrestling in 2020 Games

Washington County residents are petitioning the International Olympics Committee to include wrestling in the 2020 games.

"Wrestling has been a part of the Olympic Games since the modern games began, and the Greco-Roman version goes back to the ancient games," the online petition, posted on Change.org, stated. "Wrestling is one of the sports that the Olympics were built on. It is one of the sports that define what the Olympics are about."

More than 100 people have signed the petition so far—and the signatures weren't just from local folks.

A man from Michigan signed, as did one from the United Kingdom.

News that the IOC had dropped wrestling from the 2020 lineup also prompted one local lawmaker to introduce a special resolution last month.

State Rep. Brandon Neuman, D-North Strabane, introduced a concurrent resolution urging the International Olympic Committee to restore wrestling as an Olympic sport.

"Wrestling embodies the core ideals of the Olympics and it must remain part of the Summer Games," Neuman said. "The dream of competing in the Olympics has motivated thousands of young people to set goals, work hard and overcome challenges for generations."