LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION expressing support to the International Olympic
Committee for wrestling to be retained as a core sport in the Summer
Olympic Games

WHEREAS, The executive board of the International Olympic Committee has
proposed eliminating the sport of wrestling from the Summer Olympic
Games beginning in 2020, a proposal that will be approved or disapproved
by the full International Olympic Committee at its September 2013 gener-
al assembly; and
WHEREAS, Wrestling was one of the original sports of the ancient Greek
Olympic Games and of the first modern Olympic Games; and
WHEREAS, Wrestling has been a traditional strength of the United
States Olympic Team, with 124 medals having been awarded to the United
States throughout history; and
WHEREAS, The sport of wrestling builds great strength not only of body
but also of character, including the virtues of self-confidence, self-
discipline, courage, and sportsmanship; and
WHEREAS, Wrestling has produced many outstanding national leaders,
including United States presidents, United States Supreme Court
justices, United States senators, members of the United States Congress,
and business and military leaders, as well as many outstanding leaders
in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, The State of New York has a proud wrestling tradition that is
home to the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, which serves
to preserve and promote the dignified history of professional wrestling
and to enshrine and pay tribute to professional wrestlers who have
advanced this national pastime in terms of athletics and entertainment;
and
WHEREAS, There are 497 high schools in the State of New York that have
a wrestling program, including all 56 high schools in Nassau County; and
WHEREAS, There are over 13,000 high school student athletes in the
State of New York that participate in wrestling; and
WHEREAS, The opportunity to win an Olympic gold medal is the moti-
vation and drive for many Wrestlers at different levels of competition,
and without that ultimate goal, the sport will suffer at all levels,
including high school; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
express support to the International Olympic Committee for wrestling to
be retained as a core sport in the Summer Olympic Games; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the International Olympic Committee.