Dick’s Sporting Goods Backs Wrestling Olympic Bid

May 29, 2013

Sports retailer Dick’s Sporting Goods has added its support to USA Wrestling’s campaign to get wrestling reinstated as an Olympic sport.

The company will demostrate its backing for the Keep Olympic Wrestling 2020 Vision Campaign with in-store promotions, social media activity and through its website.

The campaign was launched following the International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board’s decision to remove wrestling as an Olympic sport from the 2020 Games. The board are to make a decision on whether wrestling, as well as seven other sports, will be considered as an addition to Olympic programme at the SportAccord convention, currently taking place in St. Petersburg. A final decision on the sport to be included in the programme will be made at the 125th IOC session in Buenos Aires in September.

Lauren Hobart, Dick’s Sporting Goods chief marketing officer, said: “Dick’s Sporting Goods recognises the dedication and values wrestling instils in young athletes and is proud to partner with USA Wrestling to support these elite competitors’ dream to represent their country in the Olympics. We encourage wrestling supporters to sign the petition to make their voices heard.”

USA Wrestling’s executive director Rich Bender added: “This is a historic time for our sport in many ways. Dick’s Sporting Goods is supporting us in a powerful way as their brand power and reach is helping us generate awareness to keep the sport in the Olympics. To have them as a marketing partner in this challenging time is greatly appreciated. It will no doubt help the movement in our country.”