Somewhere, my ancient ancestors are spinning in their crypts. The cause of their disruption? It’s the decision by the International Olympic Committee to throw away several centuries of tradition by eliminating wrestling effective with the 2020 Olympics … at a site to be determined.

If ever there was an example of athletic heresy, the IOC has just committed it.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1526129-milo-of-croton-alexander-karelin-and-the-tragic-demise-of-olympic-wrestling?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cnn-sports-bin&hpt=hp_bn15

Wrestling is among the original Olympic sports. And I don’t mean “original” as in the 1896 Games in Athens, which ushered in the modern Olympic era. I refer to the original original Games, the event that began eight centuries before the birth of Jesus Christ.

Those first games, which began in 776 B.C. in ancient Olympia, featured a few footraces and then wrestling. The competitors then ran and grappled in the nude. Eventually, the athletes entered the arena wearing clothes, but the point here is that wrestling has been a part of the Olympics since its very beginning.

Rhythmic gymnastics? Synchronized swimming? Cricket? Swimming, for crying out loud? They’re staying, even though they were added to the competition much later than wrestling.

Amarillo, of course, has a bit of a personal stake in the demise of Olympic wrestling. One of our city’s own, Brandon Slay, won a gold medal in the 2000 Sydney Games. And he’s understandably upset with the IOC decision.

But so am I, for entirely different reasons. For me it’s a matter of ethnic pride. My Greek ancestors introduced the Olympics to the world. And wrestling was a big part of that festive event.

Allow me this point of personal privilege. My wife and I visited ancient Olympia in southern Greece in 2001 and walked around the track of the 2,800-year-old stadium. My mind’s eye filled with images of athletes as well as spectators gathered on the gentle slopes surrounding the stadium as we strolled the peaceful site. The 2004 Athens Olympics shot put and discus competitions took place in that very venue – with no bells and whistles or electronic scoreboards. Fans stood on the slopes, just as they did in ancient Greece.

An IOC official said the decision is based on “what’s good for the Games.” What utter baloney. The IOC has just dishonored centuries of tradition which, I believe, is a big part of what comprises the Olympic spirit.