13-R168

2013 -- H 5926

Enacted 03/26/13

 

 

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THAT THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

ABANDON ITS PLAN TO CUT WRESTLING FROM THE 2020 SUMMER OLYMPIC

GAMES

     

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Guthrie, Johnston, Tomasso, Edwards, and Finn

     Date Introduced: March 26, 2013

 

 

     WHEREAS, In a decision that stunned both the wrestling and sports communities

worldwide, the International Olympic Committee’s Executive Board has decided to eliminate

wrestling from the 2020 Olympic Summer Games; and

     WHEREAS, Wrestling was one of the founding sports of both the ancient Olympic

Games and the modern Olympic Games. Wrestling was first introduced in the ancient Olympic

Games in 708 B.C. When the modern Olympic Games resumed in 1896, wrestling was one of the

sports played in competition and has been a permanent part of the Summer Olympic Games since

1904. Wrestling is a pure sport and a sport with deep roots and a passionate following across the

globe; and

     WHEREAS, Wrestling has been an indelible part of the Olympic Games. Who can forget

such thrilling and miraculous moments such as the “Miracle on the Mat” at the 2000 Summer

Olympics in Sydney, Australia, when American Wrestler Rulon Gardner stunned the world and

defeated famed Russian Wrestler Alexander Karelin, a wrestler who, up to that point, had not lost

a match in thirteen years and had not lost a point in a match in six years. If the International

Olympic Committee does not reverse its ill-advised decision, moments like that will never happen

again; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby respectfully requests that the International Olympic Committee

abandons its decision to cut wrestling from the 2020 Summer Olympic Games; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this Resolution to President Barack Obama, the Leaders of the

United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives, and the President of the

International Olympic Committee, Count Jacques Rogge.

     

=======

LC02221

=======