FILA Announces World Wrestling Month
May will be World Wrestling Month, the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles announced Thursday.
FILA’s 177 member countries will feature activities that promote the sport as well as its campaign to remain in the Olympics after the IOC dropped wrestling from a list of 25 core sports for the 2020 Games.
"The month will celebrate our storied past as well as our strong future," FILA Acting President Nenad Lalovic said in a statement.
"Many of the countries around the world will be announcing their celebrations and plans in the coming weeks."
Events during World Wrestling Month will include international dual meets in cities around the world, sport demonstrations and youth events.
According to FILA, some of the competitions will involve proposed rule changes for the sport.
"We have some very exciting plans for international competition in the United States in May to help celebrate this special month," said USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender.
Georgy Bryusov, First Vice President of the Wrestling Federation of Russia, added: "We have an excellent chance to show our pride and passion for our sport and why we believe it belongs on the program of the Olympic Games."
Wrestling is competing against climbing, karate, roller sports, squash, wakeboard, wrestling, wushu as well as a joint bid from baseball and softball for what will likely be only one open spot in the Games.
Each sport will present to the IOC Executive Board next month on the sidelines of the SportAccord Convention in St. Petersburg, Russia. EB members will then make recommendations to the IOC Session this September.
Danny Boyle Says Olympics Role Gave Queen a Break
Filmmaker and London Olympics ceremonies director Danny Boyle says the cameo featuring the queen and Daniel Craig as 007 provided a break from her royal duties.
"She was terrific," Boyle said about shooting the segment at Buckingham Palace that ended with a stand-in for her majesty parachuting to the opening ceremony. Boyle appeared on an episode of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" this week.
"She wanted a day off," Boyle said about why he thought the Queen agreed to the cameo role. Boyle said the Queen also wanted to make sure staff would be included in the filming. And he says the Queen insisted on a picture with Craig.
On working for the London Olympics, Boyle mentioned his threats to walk away from the project rather than compromise his artistic vision for the ceremony. He also indicates that he has had his fill of dealing with the bureaucracy of the Olympics and all the meetings required over the two-and-a-half years he spent on the 2012 Games.
"You spend most of your time figuring out the acronyms. Then it’s time for the next meeting," he quipped.
Reported by Ed Hula and Matthew Grayson
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