DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad is launching a campaign to keep wrestling an Olympic sport after the International Olympic Committee announced its recommendation to drop it.
Branstad will be joined at a Friday news conference by 1972 Olympic wrestling gold medalist Dan Gable, University of Iowa associate head wrestling coach Terry Brands and University of Northern Iowa wrestling coach Doug Schwab. They’ll gather at the Iowa State High School Wrestling Tournament to kick off their campaign, called “Let’s Keep Wrestling.”
Branstad and each member of Iowa’s congressional delegation also have signed a letter to the IOC describing the importance of wrestling to Iowans and the Olympics.
The campaign’s new website has a petition form that’s been signed by more than 2,000 people as of Friday afternoon.
