12°c Overcast
The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
Putin and Ahmaninedjad voice support for keeping wrestling in Olympics
Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, and U.S. movie actor Steven Seagal, left, speak to an athlete as they visit a new sports arena in Moscow, Wednesday, March 13, 2013. President Vladimir Putin has called for the revival of the Soviet-era physical evaluation program that required all schoolchildren to pass fitness tests. At right is President's aide Yuri Trutnev. (AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Alexei Nikolsky, Presidential Press Service)
-
Complete coverage of the Paralympic games in London.
MOSCOW - Wrestling's campaign to stay in the Olympics has won some heavyweight support — from Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian leader President Mahmoud Ahmaninedjad.
Both men called for the International Olympic Committee to reconsider after the executive board dropped the sport last month from the program of the 2020 Games.
Wrestling is one of Russia's and Iran's strongest Olympic events.
"The removal from the Olympic program of traditional forms of sports, which were its basis from the beginning and were in the program of the Olympic Games even in the time of ancient Greece ... is unjustified," Putin was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying Wednesday
Putin said he hopes Russia will discuss the issue with the IOC.
Ahmadinejad said he will send a letter to the IOC requesting the decision be reversed.
"Wrestling is compatible with the spirit of the Olympics. The sport combines chivalry, power and speed," he was quoted as saying by Iran's semiofficia Mehr News Agency.
Wrestling's governing body FILA will meet in Moscow on May 18 to elect a new president and make rules changes. Wrestling is now competing with seven other sports for a single opening on the 2020 program, which will be finalized by the IOC in September.
More FP News Top Story
- Back to Top
- Return to FP News Top Story
More FP News Top Story
(1 of 43 articles for this week)
Duffy expense controversy sent back to closed-door Senate committee
05/21/2013 10:02 PM 0
Poll
Most Popular FP News Top Story
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Polar bear webcam captures live images of Hudson Bay migration in Canada
- Former NHLer Keith Primeau believes helmet device can cut down on concussions
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- 15 die as boat sinks in Vietnam during toddler's birthday party; 5 kids among dead
- Afghan army gives donated rifles back to Canada in favour of U.S. weapons
- Alberta recruiting hundreds of staff for giant new Edmonton Remand Centre
- Accountable self-government long term goal for aboriginal communities: Harper
- Israeli archaeologists discover ancient clay seal in Jerusalem, suggest link to Temple ritual
- Sierra Leone victims applaud Charles Taylor conviction: 'He should go to jail forever'
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- In unusual pattern, Oklahoma tornado tracked path of 1999 monster twister with record winds
- Unidentified victims of Bangladesh collapse buried as more graves are readied; toll now 420
- Israeli archaeologists discover ancient clay seal in Jerusalem, suggest link to Temple ritual
- A closer look at the 3 new game consoles from Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony
- Car bomb at French Embassy in Libyan capital wounds 3 in latest sign of deepening lawlessness
- Military ombudsman appeals to defence chief over home-equity losses
- Sens-Habs series gets ugly:Eric Gryba suspended two games for Lars Eller hit
- Actress Sophie Turner drops hints on 'Game of Thrones' season 3
- ESPN says it regrets that reporter described gay NBA player Collins as a sinner
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- Unidentified victims of Bangladesh collapse buried as more graves are readied; toll now 420
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Census 2011 makes history: population in the West surpasses that in the East
- As Boston mourns, suspected brothers' radicalism comes into focus
- Car bomb at French Embassy in Libyan capital wounds 3 in latest sign of deepening lawlessness
- Israeli archaeologists discover ancient clay seal in Jerusalem, suggest link to Temple ritual
- Still no winner for $50 million Lotto Max jackpot, but Manitoba has a $1 million winner
- Police: Boston Marathon bomb suspect fired shots from boat, hospitalized in serious condition
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.