EXECUTIVE NOTES By Rich Bender, USA Wrestling Executive Director
BEAT THE STREETS AND THE OLYMPIC GAMES AHEAD It has been a exciting time in the sport of wrestling, as the days get closer and closer to the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England.
One of the most remarkable events in recent memory was the “Grapple in the Big Apple,” the wrestling event held in Times Square in New York City on June 7. This issue of USA Wrestler will give complete coverage of this spectacular competition, which was part of the Beat the Streets Gala fundraiser. Our Olympic Freestyle Team Leader, Mike Novogratz, along with the staff and volunteers for Beat the Streets in New York, did an amazing job putting together a memorable day. Because of this leadership, the sport of wrestling received a tremendous amount of positive publicity and momentum. For the second straight year, there was a USA vs. Russia freestyle dual meet in Times Square, a high quality international event for fans to enjoy. This year, members of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Freestyle Team competed in the dual meet, as part of its preparation for London. The USA had a strong performance, beating Russia by a 4-3 margin, finished off by a pin from Olympian Tervel Dlagnev at 120 kg.
In addition, with support from the U.S. Olympic Committee, the U.S. Olympic Team Wrestle-Off for 60 kg in freestyle was also held in Times Square. The drama for the final spot in the London Games was intense. Coleman Scott’s inspiring victory over outstanding opponents Shawn Bunch and Reece Humphrey was captivating for all who watched it. Because of the Olympic implications, this event received tremendous media coverage and attention. The national cover- age for the event through newspapers and television outlets brought the excitement to the general public all over the world. A two-page photo featured in Sports Illustrated showed the amazing visual scene in Times Square.
NBC, the host broadcaster for the Olympics, decided to tele- vise the event nationally on NBC Sports Network, and also allowed a live webcast on its Universal Sports website. But even more important is the true reason this event is held.
It is a fundraiser for the Beat the Streets youth program in New York City, which has provided so much opportunity for young people to become involved in wrestling. It was announced that $1.4 mil- lion was raised on this day for this great program. We saw the future of wrestling in the youth matches held during the Gala on the mats in Times Square. Fans saw boys and girls of many ages compete on the raised mat. This year, in addition to New York athletes, Beat the Streets wrestlers from partner programs in Philadelphia and Baltimore were show- cased at the gala. This is such a valuable and successful proj- ect that is spreading to other urban areas across the nation through the Beat the Streets USA program. Being held in Times Square offers so many opportunities to our sport. Because of his great wrestling performance during the USA vs. Russia dual meet, witnessed by key NBC execu- tives, Jordan Burroughs was invited to appear the next morning on the NBC Today Show. That is just one example of its impact. All focus is now on the Olympic wrestling competition will be held at the ExCel Center in London from August 5-12. Our Olympic athletes, their coaches and team leaders have been working hard all summer getting ready for a great performance there. We have confidence in their abilities, and are looking for- ward to their efforts.
The U.S. wrestling community has been very supportive of our Olympic athletes and coaches in their preparation for the Olympics. Many people have attended different fundraising activities for the wrestlers which helped them afford for their families to be with them at the Olympics. So many of you have reached out and let our athletes know that you are rooting for them and will be paying attention as they pursue their Olympic dreams.
Make sure to mark your calendar for August 5-12. NBC has announced webcast coverage of all sports, as well as extensive television coverage on its family of networks. Also follow the action on
TheMat.com and USA Wrestling’s social media.
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