USA Wrestling, the national governing body for the sport in America, and Dick’s Sporting Goods announced a partnership to support the Keep Olympic Wrestling 2020 Vision Campaign.
Dick’s SG understands a final decision to cut wrestling from the Olympics would affect wrestlers worldwide, including millions of youth club, high school and college wrestlers. Dick’s supports the Keep Olympic Wrestling campaign through numerous activation platforms, including on their website, social media channels, email distribution and in-store promotions. Supporters are encouraged to visit Dick’s Facebook page to sign the Help Save Olympic Wrestling petition and encourage donations to support the campaign.
On Feb. 12, 2013, the International Olympic Committee’s Executive Committee voted to recommend wrestling be placed off the sports program for the Olympics beginning in 2020. Two votes, one in St. Petersburg, Russia in May, and another this September in Buenos Aires, Argentina, will decide whether the recommendation will be upheld or reversed.
USA Wrestling began a campaign domestically entitled “2020 Vision, Keep the Dream Alive” in March designed to raise funds as well as petition signatures (www.keepolympicwrestling.com). USA Wrestling also formed an international coalition of the most powerful federations within the sport, all with the goal of persuading the IOC to reverse the decision.
Dick’s Sporting Goods recognizes the dedication and values wrestling instills in young athletes and is proud to partner with USA Wrestling to support these elite competitors dream to represent their country in the Olympics, said Lauren Hobart, Dick’s Sporting Goods Chief Marketing Officer. We encourage wrestling supporters to sign the petition to make their voices heard.
Added USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender: “This is a historic time for our sport in many ways. Dick’s Sporting Goods is supporting us in a powerful way as their brand power and reach is helping us generate awareness to keep the sport in the Olympics. To have them as a marketing partner in this challenging time is greatly appreciated. It will no doubt help the movement in our country.”
In less than two months, added Bender, USA Wrestling’s campaign has registered more than 112,000 Facebook supporters, more than 300,000 signatures of support as well as more than $1,000,000 in donations to support its cause.
