SR0226 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0226 LRB098 11696 GRL 44363 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is home to thousands of collegiate and professional wrestling athletes and many that advance to national and international competition; and

WHEREAS, The United States is a key competitor in international wrestling competition, especially the Olympic Games, with 124 medals having been awarded to the United States throughout history; and

WHEREAS, The sport of wrestling is fundamentally important to the success of the United States in overall Olympic Games competition; and

WHEREAS, Greco-Roman wrestling has been part of Olympic competition since 1896; and

WHEREAS, Wrestling is a foundational activity for Illinois youth and overall economic activity, which is made more robust by the ultimate potential for Olympic success; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we oppose the International Olympic Committee ruling that freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling not be included in the 25 athletic competitions of the Olympics Games, given the immense local and global impact that ruling will have; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to the International Olympic Committee.