Olympic medallists, Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt, today welcomed the decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board to keep Wrestling in hunt for a place in the 2020 Olympic Games.
The IOC Executive Board made its decision after receiving presentations from eight sports in St Petersburg, Russia.
Squash, wrestling and baseball/softball were shortlisted by the IOC Executive Board for a final vote in Buenos Aires on September 8.
"I would like to congratulate all the people who have supported wrestling. It's very good news for the young wrestlers. I am very hopeful that wrestling would be re-inducted into Olympics. Wrestling is a very popular sport and good move by IOC," two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar told PTI.
London Olympics bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt said that new changes introduced in the game to make it more viewer-friendly went in their favour.
"I am very happy with the development. It's a massive relief to all the young wrestlers who aspire to represent the country in the 2020 Olympics. We are confident that wrestling will get the final nod from the IOC in their September meeting and we will again become part of the Olympic movement," said Yogeshwar.
The international wrestling-governing body, FILA, at its Extraordinary Congress on May 18, tweaked the format of the bouts and brought in constitutional changes to include women in decision making bodies.
