Wrestling selected for 2020 Olympic Games

Wrestling has been reinstated as an Olympic sport for 2020 and 2024 Games.

07:17 10 September 2013

Wrestling, one of the original disciplines at the Ancient Olympics, was selected for 2020 Olympic games after it received 49 votes. The sport, which was axed in February, has managed to be reinstated following a very successful campaign.

Leon Rattigan, English 2010 Commonwealth bronze medallist, told BBC Sport: "I am so pleased that the pinnacle competition to which we all aspire is saved.

"Wrestlers across the world continue to have something to work for."

Meanwhile, Nenad Lalovic, the Fila president said: "With this vote, you have shown that the steps we have taken to improve our sport have made a difference.

"I assure each of you that our modernisation will not stop now. We will continue to strive to be the best partner to the Olympic Movement that we can be."

She added: "Today is the most important day in the 3,000-year history of our sport."

Squash, on the other hand was not chosen. World Squash Federation president, Narayana Ramachandran, who was clearly disappointed with the decision, said: "Today's decision is heart-breaking for the millions of squash players around the world, particularly given the 10-year journey we have been on to join the Olympic Games Sports Programme.”

"As the only new Olympic sport on today's shortlist, we believed squash offered something for the future and I still hope that our inclusion may still be possible."