FILA approves new rules to keep wrestling in games

[May 18, 2013]  MOSCOW (AP) -- Wrestling's governing body has approved new rule and constitutional changes aimed at modernizing the sport and keeping it in the Olympics after 2016.

A special congress Saturday of the federation, known by the acronym FILA, decreed there will be a mandatory women's vice-presidency role.

The new rules will ensure matches are made up out of two three-minute sessions instead of three two-minute periods. Scoring will become cumulative instead of the previous two-out-of-three system.

The changes come after the International Olympic Committee removed wrestling as one of the core sports of the games in February. It is now one of eight sports that will be competing for an open slot at the 2020 Games. That decision will be made by the IOC in September.

[Associated Press]

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