Exclusive: ‘It will be a catastrophe’ if Wrestling not included in Olympics says FILA President
June 18, 2013
The President of the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA) has said it would be a ‘catastrophe’ if wrestling was not a part of the 2020 Olympic Games.
Wrestling was controversially axed from the list of core sports at the Games by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the beginning of 2013 and has had to battle with eight other sports to be re-included in the 2020 programme.
At the SportAccord Convention in May wrestling was kept on the three-sport shortlist with baseball/softball and squash and each sport has until September to impress the IOC.
When asked what it would mean for the sport if they were not in the 2020 Olympics, erectile President Nenad Lalovic exclusively told iSportconnect: “It will be a catastrophe for wrestling but we will not stop fighting.”
Tough for the bidding cities
However, Lalovic stopped short of saying it would be a catastrophe for the Games to not have a classic Olympic sport in the 2020 programme.
“I cannot say that but it would be very difficult for many countries,” added Lalovic.
“From the bidders you have two of the three bidders where wrestling is extremely important – Japan and Istanbul.
“Even Spain is quite strong in wrestling and in particular in women’s wrestling. In Japan they are constructing the venue for wrestling to show to the commission of the IOC!”
Important for athletes
Lalovic also highlighted the importance of the Olympic Games to the athletes, saying they ‘do not have a Super Bowl or a Final Four.’
“For our athletes the Olympic Games is the top achievement and the biggest motivation in their sport career,” he said.
Read the full interview with Nenad Lalovic on their bid for the 2020 Olympic Games.
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