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Jacques Rogge to meet with FILA over wrestling decision

Olympics: Swimming-Tour of the Timekeeping Installations

Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

After a less eventful day two of the the IOC’s executive board meeting in Switzerland, President Jacques Rogge said he’s already been contacted by Raphael Martinetti, president of the International Wrestling Federation, and is encouraged by their enthusiasm.

“We agreed we would meet at the first opportunity to have discussions,” Rogge said at a news conference after the two-day meeting. “I should say FILA reacted well to this disheartening news for them. They vowed to adapt the sport and vowed to fight to be eventually included in the 2020 slot.”

Wrestling still has a shot at getting back in the Olympics, but it will have to go up against baseball and softball, karate, squash, roller sports, sport climbing, wakeboarding, and wushu for the lone spot available in 2020.

“The vote of yesterday is not an elimination of wrestling from the Olympic Games,” Rogge added. “Wrestling will participate in the games in Rio de Janeiro. To the athletes who train now, I say, ‘Continue training for your participation in Rio. Your federation is working for the inclusion in the 2020 Games.’”