FILE - The Aug. 6, 2012 file photo shows Sayed Abdelmonem Hamed of Egypt competing against Zaur Kuramagomedov of Russia (in blue) during the 60-kg Greco-Roman wrestling competition at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. IOC leaders have dropped wrestling for the 2020 Games in a surprise decision to scrap one of the oldest sports on the Olympic program. The IOC executive board decided Tuesday, Feb. 12, 1013 to retain modern pentathlon — the event considered most at risk — and remove wrestling instead from its list of core sports. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
India opposed to wrestling axed from Olympics
Published: 03:05:58 PM, Wed 13 February 2013 UTC
NEW DELHI (AP) — India has vowed to fight to get wrestling back on the Olympic program for the 2020 Games.
A day after one of the Olympics' foundation sports was dropped by the IOC executive board, the Wrestling Federation of India says on Wednesday it will do all that it can to reverse the decision through world governing body FILA.
The WFI says in a statement it "will oppose the decision taken by the IOC."
Vijay Kumar Malhotra, the acting president of the Indian Olympic Association, which backs the WFI, says removing the sport is demoralising to wrestlers and will not motivate youngsters, especially, to continue.
Malhotra says, "It is an ancient game which finds mention in our historical texts ... for Indians it evokes sentiments and emotions."
India won two wrestling medals at the London Olympics.
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international olympic committee, indian olympic association, vijay kumar malhotra, wrestling federation, wfi, olympics, 2008 summer olympics, summer olympic games, olympic games, london olympics, india, sports, ioc executive board, ancient olympic games, winter olympic games, decision, greco-roman wrestling, new delhi, olympic program, wrestling medals, body fila, foundation sports, acting president, ancient game, historical texts
