WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley and Senator Sherrod Brown today introduced a resolution to express disapproval by the U.S. Senate of the proposal from the International Olympic Committee Executive Board to eliminate wrestling from the Summer Olympic Games beginning in 2020.

“Wrestling was part of both the ancient Greek Olympic Games and the modern Olympic Games, and wrestling remains a popular sport around the world, so it’s very hard to understand the Olympic Committee’s decision,” Grassley said.  “I’m hopeful that the negative public reaction to the decision and other efforts like this resolution can reverse the decision to recommend eliminating wrestling from the Summer Games.”

“Wrestling is a historical heavyweight among Olympic sports, and has a proud tradition in my state of Ohio,” Brown said. “From youth wrestling camps and high school meets to NCAA tournaments—athletes in Ohio have learned the strength, discipline, and focus that allow grapplers to succeed both on the mat and in life. This sport is accessible to everyone around the world, regardless of their financial circumstances. The IOC should not ratify this preliminary decision by its executive board.”

Click here to read the Brown-Grassley Sense of the Senate Resolution.