It sounds ridiculous but if you look at it from the point of view of the organizers it makes sense. The problem is that most of us are looking at it from an idealistic point of view, because it’s the Olympics after all and it’s supposed to be about ideals. The people behind it however, look at it from a business and even political point of view. It’s all about money and has been for a while now. Then you have the corruption angle to throw in there. It really is like politics with lobbyists, payoffs and bribes.
Sure, you make a valid point zecarlo about it not being the most lucrative sport or getting huge tv ratings. But, there are plenty of other Olympic sports that also fit that bill and didn’t get cut (yet were not original Olympic sports).
Just look at some of the other sports that beat out wrestling:
-TKD- another combat sport that doesn’t get much in the way of ratings, but wasn’t an original sport and isn’t even as highly respected amongst combat sports fans
-Pentathalon-quick, without looking it up, name the five portions of the Pentathalon. Are they really going to try to suggest that this sport gets better tv ratings or brings in more money than wrestling when nobody even knows what it is?
-modern canoe/kayaking-you’re really going to tell me that having to build a huge man made river, fill it with water, then constantly pump that water up to the top so that it flows down creating rapids is less cost effective than buying a floor full of wrestling mats?
-race walking-seriously?
[quote]Sentoguy wrote:
Sure, you make a valid point zecarlo about it not being the most lucrative sport or getting huge tv ratings. But, there are plenty of other Olympic sports that also fit that bill and didn’t get cut (yet were not original Olympic sports).
Just look at some of the other sports that beat out wrestling:
-TKD- another combat sport that doesn’t get much in the way of ratings, but wasn’t an original sport and isn’t even as highly respected amongst combat sports fans
-Pentathalon-quick, without looking it up, name the five portions of the Pentathalon. Are they really going to try to suggest that this sport gets better tv ratings or brings in more money than wrestling when nobody even knows what it is?[/quote]
Runnin’-Cuz’ we want to kill that fella ALL the way over yonder
Horse ridin’/jumping-Cuz that is way easier than runnin all that way.
Swimming-Cuz’ said fella might be on the other side of water, plus it’s fun to play in the water
Sword Fightin-Cuz we want to kill him, not just tussle his hair
Shootin-Cuz he might be better with a sword than we are
What did I win?
I think this strengthens zecarlo’s point. The Games tend to be a huge money sink for the country/state/municipality that holds them. However, the people who build for and sell to the games make a mint. You and I could get rich building artificial rivers, not so much wrestling mats.
This is a thing? Really? I think I have found my ticket into Roller Girl Village in 2020. How should I train? Just let my time management skills tank so I am always a bit late and have to walk briskly/hurry all the time?
Regards,
Robert A
Yup, it’s real. There is a 20km and 50km event for men and a 20km event for women.
I would say the best training method would be to map out 20-50km from the nearest restroom and then drink fluids until you are about to burst and then wait till you have to pee really badly. No way you won’t walk as fast as humanly possible to get to that restroom. 
I would so train Pentathalon if I could afford a horse.
[quote]devildog_jim wrote:
I would so train Pentathalon if I could afford a horse. [/quote]
In fairness it is not nearly as awesome as it first sounds.
Modern Epee fencing is pretty, um unique.
Regards,
Robert A