IOC Votes Wrestling Out Of 2020 Core

((HT: IOC/USOC/ABC))

So, instead of something like modern pentathlon, tae-kwon-do and field hockey being taken out of the 25 core sports considered by the five-ringed circus, the International Olympic Committee decided to jettison wrestling (both the freestyle and greco-roman varieties) out of the 2020 games.

The sport could be voted back in, but it's not likely...

"This is a process of renewing and renovating the program for the Olympics," IOC spokesman Mark Adams said. "In the view of the executive board, this was the best program for the Olympic Games in 2020. It's not a case of what's wrong with wrestling, it is what's right with the 25 core sports."

The group looked at factors such as TV ratings, ticket sales, doping issues, participation, and popularity- most of those factors are subjective and allow for emotional and political response... something the international committees are "never" known for...

Right...???

There's one opening for a sport in 2020. The winner comes from a group including baseball and softball, karate, squash, roller sports, sport climbing, wakeboarding and something called "wushu."

So, we now get to miss moments like this one...


And this one...


The Soviet Union and United States are one and two in the all-time medal list with 132 and 125, respectively...

Names like Blatnick, Sanderson, Gable, and Gardner now go to history books instead of continuing to add to it...

Kurt Angle wants to be in the Olympics again

Kurt Angle

((ht: new york post))

Oh it's true. You know it's true.

1996 Olympic Wrestling Gold Medal winner and current TNA professional wrestler Kurt Angle wants to return to the Olympics.

Really.

The New York Post did an interview with Angle and the 43-year-old says "I can guarantee that I will either make the Olympic team or be an alternate. I will go over to London and represent my country."

If you are a pro wrestling geek, then you know Angle at various times in his pro career has played up his amateur wrestling background.

But the game has changed.

Angle says Total Nonstop Action wrestling has been totally supportive, allowing him time to train and do what he needs to so he is ready when the team trials come up.

And we think the folks at TNA aren't stupid. If Angle can pull this off, you can bet money there will be a storyline that will accompany it. It would be a "PR Bonanza" for the 2nd place wrestling organization.

Read the whole story from the New York Post RIGHT HERE

While not the wrestling fans that we used to be, we respect Angle's skill and tenacity. And we wish him nothing but the best in his attempt, it could, in theory be quite a story when the 2012 Olympics in London commence this summer.

But the cynic in us wonders if this is a bit of a work.

Here is Angle doing his current job (thanks TNA):



We may get in trouble for this, but here is YouTube video of Angle winning his gold in Atlanta in 1996: