Question Of The Week

Wrestling in the Olympics: Do You Think It's Gone for Good?

The IOC's decision to remove one of its oldest sports sent shock waves throughout the wrestling world. Patch wants to know what you think.

The recent decision by the International Olympic Committee to drop wrestling from the 2020 Summer Games stunned and disappointed wrestling coaches across metro Atlanta. The IOC’s decision really hit home with Patrick Ryan during the recent Georgia  wrestling championship tournament in Macon. Ryan, Lithonia High School’s wrestling coach, said his all-time best wrestler told him, “I don’t even want to wrestle anymore.” “Here is my all-time greatest wrestler, telling me he wants to quit,” Ryan said, “and I had to convince him to keep going.” In a secret vote, the International Olympic Committee’s executive board decided to eliminate wrestling from the Olympics. The committee agreed to pare down the 26 sports it features to 25 so that a new …

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JamesMichael

10:12 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013

I think you meant to say "historic" times.   more ›

Stone Mountain, Lithonia Coaches Stunned by IOC's Wrestling Decision

'I can't believe they're even thinking about this,' says Stone Mountain High's wrestling coach.

Last week’s decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to remove wrestling from the 2020 Games left Stone Mountain and Lithonia wrestling coaches stunned and disappointed. “I was extremely shocked,” said Patrick Ryan, head wrestling coach at Lithonia High School. “It’s disappointing for these young guys who are training and have Olympic aspirations, who’ve spent most of their lives trying to get to that point.” “It’s very discouraging,” said Michael Williams, Stone Mountain High’s wrestling coach. “I’m a proud coach and supporters of our sport, and I see it growing more and more in the United States. It’s one of the most influential sports in the world.” The committee agreed to pare down the 26 sports it features to 25 so that …

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