This is the death of the Olympics.

[redwhiteblue]

I hope someone with some historical perspective jars some sense back into the IOC. Dropping wrestling not only means dropping a modern tradition (wrestling was in the first modern games) but it is evidence that the current committee has lost track of the inner core of the Olympic movement.

We all know what the point of the modern Olympic movement was- as nations fumbled toward modern Armageddon and massive wars, the movement decided to learn from the ancients about peacemaking. The ancient olympics were about transforming war into a competition of war skills. In a sense, it was about peace through preparation. In so doing, various nations or city states could maintain their necessary military strength, but choose to outlet competition through officiated games. It is quite likely that it was through the creation of combat sports that different peoples first learned how to compete under rules, instead of through war itself. The foundation of international cooperation is truly based on the codification of combat sports.

Make no mistake, the olympics were always a festival of combat sports, not merely any sports or the popular sports. This was true of the Ancient and Modern Olympics. Athletics or track and field- in ancient times many running events were done with soldiers equipment required. Shot Put, Hammer and Javelin are weapons events. Marathon reenacts a military messenger. Boxing, Wrestling, Archery, Rifle Shooting, Rowing, Equestrian- are at their heart combat sports. Even Gymnastics is a combat sport- they are the skills necessary to a cavalryman- hence a "pommel horse." Gymnastics were designed by a Prussian military school for prepping their horsemen.

The irony, and I would add the practicality, pragmatism and genius of "Peace through preparation for War" is being totally overrun by marketers and media salesmen who have only the profit margin in view. Without the combat sports- The Olympics are just another overpriced, ridiculous, contrived spectacle. With the combat sports- its is a direct connection to the dramatic human evolution that has allowed and built the foundation of recognition between and cooperation among different peoples despite their real fears of each other. It is so much more than a bunch of games- it really was the first time different peoples had an opportunity to earn "the others'" respect and learn how to respect "the other" despite real differences.

I for one am not being melodramatic when I say the dropping of wrestling represents the end of the Olympics in any real sense. They have officially sold themselves to their corporate overlords. It will never be the same again.

[provocateur]

That's a very insightful post. Thanks for writing it.

[Old_Marine_Wrestler]

Good writing but I disagree.

2 of the most viewed "events" of the Olympics are now the opening and closing ceremonies.

The Olympics has turned into a money-grabbing marketing fest.

A sport like wake-boarding, with speed, acrobatics, rapid movement and the ever-present over-excited commentating, is more likely to attract broader viewership and guaranteed higher dollar advertising than 2 wrestlers in a two-on one with one fighting the top hand and the other trying to push his opponent out of bounds.

That's just how it is.

If every match was like Randy Lewis vs. Kosei Akaishi wrestling would have more viewership than soccer.

But, as great as it was to the purist, it's been more like Rulon Gardner and Alexandre Karelin. And despite everything, that was pretty boring match.

[judaspriest]

Excellent historical perspective and far better worded than anything I tried to put together throughout today. Very true.

Beach volleyball type of sports is what is currently "in". How long before we add cooking, cross-stiching and home decorating to the list of "olympic" sports?

[JasonBryant]

Don't forget extreme ironing.

[fadzaev2]

They better not keep synchronized diving.....what a joke, or synchronized swimming for that matter.

[Wire]

This is the death of the Olympics

No it is not .... It will continue to grow, and embrace different activities to draw in more of the average fan ...

[DaveNYC]

Very well stated. In fact, one of the best comments I've ever read on this site.
I think some of the comments that responded are missing his point.
Yes, the Olympics as currently structured will continue. But with the removal of wrestling, the IOC has severed itself from the spirit of the original mission of the Olympics.
At this point, it really will be nothing but a ridiculous, overhyped spectacle.
As I see it, the only silver lining is that wrestling can go back to structuring competition to the benefit of the sport, as opposed to endless concessions to the IOC, who could care less about what happens to wrestling.
We can go back to 10 weight classes and longer matches.

[redwhiteblue]

In hindsight, I know-but... I wish the core combat sports that have made up the traditional- both ancient and modern Olympics had worked together to maintain themselves as the core of Olympic integrity and purpose. I for one heard they would likely drop pentathlon and thought nothing of it. With some foresight I should have seen that as the opening salvo in the selling out of the Olympics for profits and promotion, and that all core sports were in danger.

It reminds me of the Neimoller description of Nazi Germany: "First they came for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a Communist...Then they came for me, but there was no one left to speak."

Will any other sports speak for us?

[GoNotQuietly]

Your post was beautiful, enough to inspire me to create an account for the sole purpose of thanking you for getting it so right. I named my wrestling club the Young Olympians, and have tried to instill the heart and soul of the Olympic movement into our philosophy and athletes. I have shared your words with them and the sentiment that just because the "olympics" doesn't endorse the olympic ideal doesn't mean we can not strive for it in our practice. I also think that a separation from this commercial spectacle event and formation of an international combative sports competition is a more progressive and self reliant move for our community. Thanks again for your words.