IOC may retain wrestling in 2020 Olympic program

Wrestling has an opportunity to be included in the program of the 2020 Olympic Games, said International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge on Saturday at a press conference in the Peruvian capital.

As long as it remains as one of the three candidates when the IOC narrows the list at the May 29-31 conference in St. Petersburg, it will open up the possibility of being selected in the final ratification at the general assembly in September.

The International Olympic Committee's controversial decision to drop wrestling from the 25 "core sports" for the Summer Games has been criticized by United States, Russia and Iran.

Wrestling is among eight sports vying for the last spot at the 2020 Games, including a joint bid from baseball and softball, karate, squash, rollersports, sports climbing, wakeboard, and the martial art wushu.

The final ratification will take place at the general assembly in September in Buenos Aires. That is when a decision will be announced on the host city for 2020 Olympic Games. Vying for the honor are Madrid, Istanbul and Tokyo.