Wrestling

cctv.com 08-02-2004 15:13

The sport of Wrestling offers spectators great excitement due to its rare techniques, the quick changes in the score, as well as the strength, the combative spirit and the amazing physical attributes of the wrestlers.

Based on historic evidence, Wrestling as a sport can be found in many civilizations. In ancient Greece, Wrestling was one of the most popular sports, conducted by athletes in the nude. In modern history, Greek athletes have won many distinctions in this specific sport, which continues to be included among the most popular sports in Greece.

Description

Wrestling has two styles: greco-roman and free style.

In the greco-roman style, holds are allowed from the waist up, while in free style holds are allowed on the whole body. Matches in both styles consist of two, three-minute parts, with a 30 second interval.

ATHENS 2004 Wrestling

At the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games, Wrestling will take place at the Ano Liossia Olympic Hall, which has a seating capacity of 9,150 spectators. The competition programme will be completed within eight days, from August 22 to August 29, 2004.

History

Wrestling can be traced far back into antiquity. Wrestling was one of the sports in the programme of the first ancient Olympic Games in Greece in 776 B.C..

It also was part of the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, with the inclusion of a competition in the Greco-roman style without any weight category specifications. There followed a short period when this sport was excluded. However, in 1908 Greco-roman wrestling returned to the programme of the Olympic Games. Meanwhile, free style was incorporated to the Olympic Games in 1904.

In September 2001 the International Olympic Committee took the following two decisions on Wrestling:

1.Inclusion of Women鈥檚 Wrestling in the Olympic Games 2004 competition programme, in four weight categories for the free style

2.Reduction of the weight categories for men from 16 to 14, in both Greco-roman and free style.

The International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (Federation International de Lutte Amateur - FILA) was founded in 1912.

The Greek Federation of Wrestling and Weight-Lifting Supporters (EOFPAV) was founded on 2 August 1935. Until that year, both sports were under the authority of SEGAS (The Association of Greek Gymnastics and Athletics clubs). The rapid development of these sports soon led to the separation of EOFPAV into two independent Federations: the Greek Federation of Wrestling Supporters (EOFP) and the Greek Weightlifting Federation (EOAB).

Since then, EOFP cooperates with eight local committees and unions and with more than 280 clubs and associations, which in turn include a total of 10,000 athletes.

EOFP has been a member of FILA since 1935. It has a large number of international referees, and several members of the Federation are members of FILA committees.

Source:The official website of the ATHENS 2004 Olympic and Paralympic Games

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