Wrestling makes IOC shortlist for 2020 Olympics

By Sports Network

The Sports Network

St. Petersburg, Russia (Sports Network) - The Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee recommended the sports of baseball/softball, squash and wrestling for possible inclusion on the Olympic program for the 2020 Olympic Games.

The three sports, which were selected by secret ballot, are to be proposed to the 125th IOC Session for possible inclusion as an additional sport.

Wrestling was surprisingly cut from the list of core sports by the IOC board in February.

Others on the shortlist of choices that were not selected were karate, roller sports, sport climbing, wakeboarding and wushu.

The full IOC membership will assemble in Buenos Aires, Argentina from Sept. 7-10 to vote on which of the three sports will be added to the program of the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in addition to the 25 core sports.

"The Executive Board received excellent presentations today from eight International Federations," said IOC president Jacques Rogge. "It was never going to be an easy decision but I feel my colleagues on the Board made a good decision in selecting baseball/softball, squash and wrestling to be put forward in Buenos Aires. I wish the three shortlisted sports the best of luck in the run-up to the vote in September and would like to thank the other sports for their hard work and dedication."

The location of the 2020 Olympic Games will also be determined during the 125th IOC Session, with Istanbul, Madrid and Tokyo each bidding for host city.

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