Olympics: IOA chief disagrees with wrestling snub

Kouvelos is saddened by the decision of removal of wrestling from the Olympic Games.

ATHENS: International Olympic Academy (IOA) president Isidoros Kouvelos called on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to respect the historical roots of the Olympics and not remove wrestling from the Olympics starting in the 2020 edition.

“Wrestling remains inseparable from the concept of the Olympic Games which would be inconceivable without this historic sport in its programme,” Kouvelos wrote in a letter sent to IOC president Jacques Rogge. “It is certain, moreover, that there is no future for the Olympic Games if we do not respect its historical roots.”

Kouvelos said he was saddened by the decision last week of the 15-strong IOC Executive Board to recommend to the wider IOC membership the removal of wrestling from the Olympic Games.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 22^nd, 2013.