Women’s wrestling could be added to the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, but boxing would have to cut one of its two weight divisions and two events in men’s wrestling as well as new events in a number of other sports would have to be cut.
International Olympic Committee sports director Gilbert Felli said, “until now, we added an average of 20 or more events per games since the 1950’s”.
The IOC plan, approved by its ruling executive board, envisions the participation of 10,508 athletes competing in 299 events in Athens. In Sydney last year there were 10,655 athletes in 300 events. “To control the size of the Games we have to control the number of events. We need to keep to a maximum of 10,500 athletes and 300 events,” said Felli.
Of the 28 sports on the Olympic program, boxing and baseball would be the only ones left without women’s events, but women’s softball has been played since 1996.
Among other decisions, the IOC rejected the international swimming federation’s request to add 50-metre freestyle and open water swimming events; approved an increase of two teams – not four as requested by FIFA – in women’s soccer to a total of 10; rejected a request to add mixed doubles in tennis; proposed the addition of a women’s saber event in fencing and the elimination of a team event; rejected baseball’s request to increase the number of teams from eight to 12; in equestrian, approved a change in format for the three-day event. Only the top 28 in the dressage and cross-country portion will advance to the individual event, carrying over their points. The riders will then compete only in show jumping to decide the individual medals.
The IOC also gave formal recognition to the international federation of tug of war, but the board rejected official recognition for body-building.
