Wrestling's work continues after IOC presentation

International wrestling has made major advancements in recent months.

The day has come to find out whether the changes have been enough to maintain the relationship with its marquee event.

Wrestling representatives will give private presentations to the International Olympic Committee Executive Board in St. Petersburg, Russia,, attempting to make a shortlist of sports to be included in the 2020 Olympic Games. Wrestling is one of eight sports, vying for a single spot after the IOC recommended cutting wrestling from the Olympic programme's core sports the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in February.

The recommendation was met with immediate backlash, as athletes, celebrities and politicians around the world publicly expressed disapproval of the decision. FILA, wrestling's international governing body, instantly took steps to improve the sport, including rules and leadership changes.

"The good thing is a lot of positive energy is going into changes," said University of Iowa coach Tom Brands, who was a World Champion and 1996 Olympic gold medalist. "We have to move forward and take those improvements to the IOC."

IOC President Jacques Rogge has praised the changes already implemented. Wrestling's pulse is beating stronger after being on life support three months ago. Work continues to secure long-term inclusion of the sport, which has been an Olympic staple in the Olympics, especially in the modern era since 1896.

"I think there is more optimism," Brands said. "Don't let your guard down. ... Keep doing those things."

The hope is to be selected for final consideration during IOC's meeting Sept. 8 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Wrestling is competing against squash, karate, wakeboarding, rollersports, baseball and softball, wushu and sports climbing.

“We, of course, expect to be in the shortlist,” Lalovic said in a telephone interview with Reuters before his departure for the IOC Executive Board meeting in Russia this week. “We don't have guarantees but we will go to compete like on the mat and the best will win.”

Members of the wrestling community have battled since the original announcement was made. Former FILA President Raphael Martinetti was forced out and Nenad Lalovic replaced him, showing a progressive attitude. Leaders addressed issues to make the sport more offensive, easily understood and more attractive to casual fans. They have even altered participation numbers for men and women.

"We are being very encouraged by the reaction from the world of wrestling but it does not make us complacent,” Lalovic said. “We have to prove the trust of those people in us.”

Governing bodies have already installed competition changes. Matches have switched to two three-minute periods with cumulative scoring. The previous format was separate scoring in a best-of-3 series of two-minute periods. Brands said one of the issues that remains is how a tied score will be determined and whether an overtime is an option.

"It was definitely an improvement," Brands said of the changes. "You're going to have to iron out some of the philosophies of the rules."

The sport has taken steps to reach out to fans. USA Wrestling hosted Iran and Russia, two allies in this fight, for international duals. They competed in "Rumble on the Rails" in New York City's historic Grand Central Station on May 15, which included former Hawkeye NCAA champion Brent Metcalf's win over Russia's Soslan Ramanov at 66kg.

"Brent worked extremely hard in that match," said Brands, who watched it but was not there in-person. "He was doing things that put pressure on his opponent that led to the result in the end."

The U.S. team also wrestled Russia and Canada in Los Angeles on May 19. Brands attended the California event, which included the new rules.

"It was a good event," Brands said. "It was well run.

"It was a pretty good tribute to the organization."