Wrestling has been one of the original core sports in the Olympics since the first games in 776 B.C. Now, the International Olympic Committee has decided to put wrestling up for elimination for the 2020 Olympic games.

The IOC has decided to replace wrestling with the modern pentathlon; which is a sport that requires the athletes to participate in five different events: pistol shooting, fencing, freestyle swimming, show jumping and a 3k cross country race. For many high school and college wrestlers, Olympics is what they strive for.

Athletes who play other sports have the choice of continuing to a professional team, but for wrestlers there is no professional team to join after college.

“I was frustrated with the decision because wrestling is one of the oldest sports,” senior Justice Garrish said. “I can’t believe that they’re replacing it with a less important sport.”

Wrestling determined the winner of the games in the original Olympics.

History teacher and assistant wrestling coach, Greg Reed has been involved in wrestling since 1965 both wrestling and coaching. “Wrestling has always been a part of the Olympics,” Reed said. “It is one of the core sports and it is foolish of them (the IOC) to even consider cutting it.”

Although wrestling is extremely close to being cut, many believe that the uproar  from wrestling fans and wrestlers themselves may save the cherished sport.