Wrestlers, coaches, officials and fans show support for wrestling during the U.S. Open in Las Vegas. Tony Rotundo photo. Continued from page 5
be strong enough to change,” said Lalovic. “This will be one of the most important meetings in the history of our sport.” Some of the improvements in the new FILA have already been seen, including an expanded effort to cover and promote the sport globally, led by new FILA Press Officer Bob Condron of the USA. FILA launched its first series of international wrestling rank- ings on its Facebook page and website, developed by veteran wrestling journalist William May. A team of talented journalists have been secured by FILA to provide regular international sto- ries on the sport. FILA’s Facebook page and Twitter page have grown considerably in recent weeks as fresh information on international wrestling is shared with the world. FILA has hired TSE Consulting, a respected international sports management firm, to assist in developing a strategic plan. The U.S. effort to Keep Olympic Wrestling has been superbly managed by the Committee for the Preservation of Olympic Wrestling (CPOW), led by respected Olympic leader Bill Scherr as its chair and a group of talented and experienced wrestling leaders. CPOW has not only developed programs to support and promote the wrestling effort in the United States, but has also taken a leadership role alongside FILA and the national wrestling federations.
6 USA Wrestler
Led by USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender, CPOW and USA Wrestling created the Save Olympic Wrestling Coalition, formed by numerous international wrestling federa- tions which have been strategically identified. These nations will support FILA’s efforts and its Acting President Lalovic, mobilize energy and resources, participate in World Wrestling Month and assist in the development of Olympic wrestling. Nations in this coalition come from all over the world, including Russia, Iran, Japan, Cuba, India, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cuba, Argentina and many others. “We are very excited about this coalition. It will expand and become a huge asset to our sport as we unify the wrestling fed- erations in the world around one of the most important initiatives in the history of wrestling,” said Bender. World Wrestling Month will feature fantastic wrestling compe- titions and activities, bringing attention to the sport and show- casing wrestling at its best. The United States is taking a leader- ship role in this activity with four international events on the schedule: The Curby Cup, a Greco-Roman dual meet competi- tion in LaGrange, Ill. on May 11; the Rumble on the Rails, an event with the USA, Iran and Russia in historic Grand Central Terminal in New York City on May 15; “United 4 Wrestling,” a USA vs. Iran freestyle wrestling dual in Los Angeles, Calif. on
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