IOC decision aimed against FILA president – RA federation rep

PanARMENIAN.Net - Wrestlers all over the world have joined forces in protest of IOC’s decision to drop wrestling from 2020 Olympics, deputy president of Armenian wrestling federation said.

“The IOC decision was first of all aimed against FILA president Raphael Martinetti. Wrestling rules are often changed, facing criticism. IOC repeatedly warned Martinetti, who didn’t inform even FILA bureau members of those warnings,” Samvel Gevorgyan said, noting Martinetti’s resignation as a correct move due to his corrupt practices.

“Though we were always displeased with Martinetti, we were never able to join forces against him. Armenian wrestlers Vaghinak Galstyan, Karen Mnatsakanyan and Ara Abrahamyan were unable to win medals due to Martinetti,” he said, adding that Armenian and Russian federations will do the utmost to keep wrestling in Olympic program.