IL HR0169

International Olympic Committee's executive board decided to eliminate wrestling from the Olympic summer program, with wrestling included in 2016 Rio Olympics but excluded from 2020 Olympics.

Illinois has significant wrestling participation, including 17,112 high school wrestlers in 2011-2012 (second most in nation) and 18 college wrestling programs across Division I, II, III, and junior college levels.

Illinois Kids Wrestling Federation has largest membership in USA Wrestling for ages 5-13 with almost 19,000 members, and nearly 275,000 youth competitors nationwide participated in wrestling from 2010-2011.

IOC's decision was based on analysis of 39 criteria including TV ratings, ticket sales, global participation, and popularity, with wrestling ranking "low" in several technical categories.

Illinois House of Representatives requests that the IOC reconsider eliminating wrestling and keep it as an Olympic sport, with copies of the resolution to be sent to USA Wrestling leadership and the United States Olympic Committee.