SHOCKING DECISION OF THE IOC

The decision that shocked the whole wrestling world was made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in February at a meeting in Lausanne. The IOC Executive Committee recommended that wrestling be excluded from the 2020 Olympics programme, explaining its decision by the fact that wrestling has too low an index. The IOC made this conclusion on the basis of the evaluation of all Olympic sports in 39 criteria.

Among the reasons that led to the adoption of this recommendatory decision, IOC President Jacques Rogge named the low rating of broadcasts from the London Games during wrestling competitions, as well as problems with selling tickets for this sport. The coverage of competitions via the Internet and media was not at the appropriate level either. The IOC also indicated that those who are currently involved in the sport are not represented in the most important bodies of the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA), where decisions are made, while there are only physicians in the Executive Committee of FILA. In addition, there is no women's commission, there is no code of conduct for doctors, etc.

The International Federation itself is ready to defend wrestling in the Olympic movement. But FILA's first discussions with the IOC were followed by the resignation of Raphael Martinetti, who headed the federation for almost 10 years, although it was expected that using his authority, he would still be able to influence the outcome. It's no secret that Martinetti had a special relationship with IOC President Jacques Rogge. Using his connections, he could have helped wrestling to remain on the list of Olympic sports. However, Martinetti failed.

The situation deteriorated to such an extent due to growing discontent in the sport in recent years. As you know, the recent changes to the rules did not suit many. Rogge's statement also shows that the purpose of the IOC is to reform wrestling.

Along with Azerbaijan, where wrestling is one of the most popular sports, this recommendation is also opposed by Turkey, Russia, the US, Iran and other countries. They think that excluding wrestling from the Olympic programme, the IOC will make a historical mistake. Wrestling has been one of the symbols of the Olympic Games since the ancient period. Greco-Roman wrestling existed in ancient Greece and was part of the programme of all previous Olympics. Therefore, it is not difficult to imagine the response a negative IOC decision on this issue may cause. This will be a serious blow to the history of the Olympic Games.

In Azerbaijan, wrestling has been practiced since ancient times. Azerbaijani sportsmen won their first Olympic award in this sport. At the Helsinki Olympics in 1952, Rasid Ibrahimbayov won a silver medal. After independence, wrestling took one of the main places among other sports in Azerbaijan. Of the six Azerbaijani Olympic champions, four are wrestlers. Our wrestlers returned from all Olympic Games with medals. A striking example of this is the seven medals brought from last summer's London Games. The exclusion of wrestling from the Olympic programme can slow the activity of the Azerbaijani Wrestling Federation in developing the sport and the young generation of athletes.

The general secretary of the Federation, Acdar Cafarov, has already expressed his attitude to this issue. "The initiative of the IOC to exclude wrestling from the list of Olympic sports was met in Azerbaijan, as well as throughout the world, with great surprise and displeasure. But I want to tell the whole wrestling community, as well as fans of the sport that it is just an initiative. It was on the agenda after the Summer Olympic Games in Athens. But the final decision was in favour of the wrestling. I believe and hope that this will also be the case this time, and wrestling, which has millions of fans around the world, will be left out of the Olympic Games," Cafarov said.

"Wrestling is a very entertaining and popular sport. It cannot be excluded from the programme of the Olympic Games. I am in favour of changes to the rules. But I am against excluding wrestling from the Olympics. The wrestling world will not remain indifferent to such a decision. Every young athlete dreams of becoming an Olympic champion. If there is no wrestling in the Olympics, this will be a big blow to the sport," said the Olympic champion and two-time world champion in Greco-Roman wrestling, Farid Mansurov.

The initiative against a favourite sport was unexpected for our Olympic champion Togrul Asgarov. In an interview with R+, the winner of the London Olympics called the decision unclear: "We could not even imagine that this issue may be on the agenda. The news was a surprise to all of us. I want to believe that the outcome will be positive and wrestling will be among Olympic sports again."

In any case, wrestling was on a par with baseball, karate and other sports disciplines (seven in total), which makes it necessary to campaign for the return of wrestling to the Olympic programme. We can only hope that as a result of reforms and campaigns, the recommendation of the IOC Executive Board will not be accepted at a meeting in Buenos Aires on 7 September, and the sport loved by millions will not be excluded from the programme of the Olympic Games in 2020 and 2024.