Wrestling is The Olympic Games

Wrestling. There are few other sports that are as synonymous with The Olympic Games.  I would say, most track and field events and wrestling fall into that legacy.  Let’s be honest, when one of your categories is “Greco Roman," you know there is REAL history there.  It was a marquee event of the original Games and the re-establishing connection upon it's return 1500 years later. So how can the IOC up and erase it from the schedule? 

Heroes of USA Wrestling have touched the lives of many Americans, including this swimmer, who until the Olympics didn't know a thing about the sport. This goes beyond true textbook history and cuts straight to the emotional, motivational and moving Olympic moments in history.  I went to watching wrestling at my first Games, as a spectator in 1984, and I LOVED IT!  And that's when I realized wrestlers have captivated our hearts forever.  Remember Jeff Blatnick? He made the team in 1980 when we boycotted, but had the drive and passion to overcome cancer and come back and make the team again four years later at the 1984 Summer Olympics, where he won a gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling! He moved us. And what about Bruce Baumgartner who was making four Olympic teams before it was fashionable.  Bruce hauled in two golds, a silver and a bronze from 84-96! Inspiration!

And the fella who accomplished the “impossible” or so people thought!  I am sure you remember that moment in 2000 at the Sydney Games when Rulon Gardner defeated Alexander Karelin of Russia, who had been undefeated for 13 years. We cried with him because we knew the weight of that moment…one of the greatest moments in Olympic History.

Back to the facts. The U.S. has the most wrestling medals of any country, but over 200 nations participate in the sport and a variety of nations medal each Games. This decision by the International Olympic Committee Executive Board. to recommend that wrestling not be included as a core sport at the 2020 Olympic Committee is not a final decision. The next step is for the IOC Executive Board to recommend a sport for the final spot in the 2020 Olympics, of which wrestling will be considered for the position along with seven other sports, which happens in May in St. Petersburg, Russia.

In the U.S., there are kids out there who show up at their high school, club, or college gym every day -- most twice a day -- with one thing on their minds: to be the next Jeff, Bruce or Rulan.  If you have been inspired by an Olympic wrestling moment, the IOC needs to hear it. Save wrestling and keep the dream alive!  Join “Keep Wrestling In the Olympics” Facebook page, which is can be found at Keep Wrestling in the Olympics Facebook Page and help support USA Wrestling and Olympic Wrestling.

Olympians: Welcome to the Family

"Welcome to the family!"

   

Nobody actually says that to you after the big day, the day when you turn around and see your name in the "spot" that means you made it. You are now a member of TEAM USA.  When you make the Olympic Team, your immediate emotional response is excitement, followed quickly by a huge sense of relief.  No matter if you're a surprise and just plain shocked, or "expected" to make it, the realization in that first moment is priceless.  

Let's take, for instance, 16-year-old swimmer Missy Franklin.  She is "expected" to do great things….not just at Trials but at the Olympic Games themselves.  But aren't we getting a little ahead of ourselves… swimming fans are already wondering, "How many medals will Missy bring home?"  And although I am sure she is focusing a bit on London (because let's face it,  dreaming about those medals keeps you going sometimes), let me assure you, she is taking this process step by step, a day at a time. So when her races come between June 25-July 3 in Omaha, Neb., she's going to be striving for her moment to become part of the family. Olympic Trials are way more than just a swim meet. Really, the event is more pressure than the Games themselves. Trials are where you make the dream REAL…where you become a part of that exclusive club, not matter if it's for the first time or the fourth. Every swimmer dives into that water a competitor with a dream, and hopes to step out of the pool an Olympian.  

It's a club that doesn't have a membership card, we bear our badges on our hearts. Wearing the letters, U-S-A , on our chest, head or back, we feel part of a truly remarkable family that carries the energy and support of every single person in this amazing country.  

So as Olympic Trials of all sports, begin and end, I would like to welcome each new Olympian to the family and say "hello again" to those returning.  We are so proud of you and wish you great memories!

"Once an Olympian, Always an Olympian. Never Former; Never Past." - U.S. Olympians Assoc. Motto

Trials Line-up on NBC

We not only survived, we smiled the whole way!

We really lucked out. Or shall I say, I really lucked out. We arrived at the airport to discover we were sharing the plane with a ton of my hubby's friends who were either on the Olympic team or have a connection to the Games. Yay!!! I saw two of our friends and immediately smiled thinking, "they have kids...they know what I am going through." Sure enough, they did and they helped big time. They took turns carrying my car seat and a few bags. My arms were thankful. I do have to say, all throughout the airport, I had very sympathetic looks passed my way. I would simply try to smile back as if I was not concerned in the least. Meanwhile, everyone knew my state as I was completely drenched just after security. Once on the plane, the flight attendant suggested that I sit next to my son and have my daughter sit across the aisle. Hmmm. I wasn't sure how this was going to go over. It started off well since the flight attendant offered up a "surprise" if she sat there. Then, it got even better. The gentleman she was sitting next to was the head coach for the French short track speed skating team. He was so sweet to her! He held her drink, flipped the pages of her book and helped her play with her magnetic game. By the end of our trip, she was resting her feet on his leg and snuggling up next to his shoulder. My son was very sweet and even with his gigantic snow boots on, only kicked the seat in front of him 4 times. Luckily the gentleman in front of him, an Olympian from Norway, was super understanding and very nice. So nice that he gave both the kids Norwegian Olympic pins. The only problem with the entire day of travel came at customs when my son thought it would be funny to run away from me throughout the line. I got a lot of angry faces when this happened and a few stern comments when it happened the second time. But when we made it through the customs door and out into "daddyland", my crew was beyond thrilled! Getting to see daddy was a the icing on the cake for all of us....especially a worn out and sweaty mommy!