United States Olympic trials (wrestling)
| United States Olympic team trials | |
|---|---|
| Status | active |
| Genre | sports event |
| Date(s) | April–June |
| Frequency | quadrennial |
| Location(s) | various |
| Country | United States |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Inaugurated | 1984 |
| Organised by | USA Wrestling |
The United States Olympic team trials for the sport of wrestling are contested quadrennially to determine the country's representative at the Summer Olympic Games on each style (men's and women's freestyle and Greco-Roman) and weight class.[1] The event is conducted by the national governing body of the sport, currently USA Wrestling.[2]
Standards[edit]
To represent the United States at the Summer Olympic Games, an American wrestler must qualify nationally by winning the US Olympic team trials tournament, and internationally, by either placing fifth or higher at the previous year's World Championships or by becoming a finalist at the Pan American Olympic Qualifier or at a World Olympic Qualifier.[3] The athlete who qualifies their weight class for the Summer Olympics is not guaranteed of a spot in the team, as he must qualify nationally.[4] In case of an athlete qualifying nationally but failing to qualify the weight class internationally, the United States will not be represented at the Games.[5]
History[edit]
The first edition of the US Olympic team trials for wrestling took place from June 16 to 23 of 1984, when USA Wrestling dictated they would no longer select the wrestlers they sent to the Summer Olympic Games or the World Championships, as they would now hold an event where qualifying would now be on the hands of the athletes.[6] Bob Dellinger, tournament operations director for the organization, expressed:
"We have brought these ladder challenges the actual final trials for the Olympic team out of a training camp situation and have placed them before the public. Many times in the past, the qualifying tournaments were sold to the public as "final trials,' when in reality the team was selected in the seclusion of a training camp. These are not selections, they are trials. The decisions will be made on the mat, by athletes who have been training hard for a year or more for this opportunity. Our fans deserve the right to watch the Olympic team take shape."
Editions[edit]
| Year | Location | Venue | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | State College, Pennsylvania | Bryce Jordan Center | April 19-20, 2024 |
| 2020 | Fort Worth, Texas | Dickies Arena | April 2–3, 2021 |
| 2016 | Iowa City, Iowa | Carver-Hawkeye Arena | April 8–10, 2016 |
| 2012 | Iowa City, Iowa | Carver-Hawkeye Arena | April 21–22, 2012 |
| 2008 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Thomas & Mack Center | June 14–16, 2008 |
| 2004 | Indianapolis, Indiana | RCA Dome | May 21–23, 2004 |
| 2000 | Dallas, Texas | Reunion Arena | June 22–24, 2000 |
| 1996 | Spokane, Washington | Spokane Arena | June 7–9, 1996 |
| 1992 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | June 6, 1992 | |
| 1988 | Pensacola, Florida | June 17, 1988 | |
| 1984 | Allendale, Michigan | June 16–23, 1984 |
References[edit]
- ^ "Top things to know about the U.S. Wrestling Olympic trials 2021". Olympics.com. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
- ^ "Our Mission, Vision & Values". teamusa.org. Archived from the original on January 17, 2016.
- ^ . 2014-07-01 https://web.archive.org/web/20140701131207/http://corporate.olympics.com.au/files/dmfile/Rio2016QualificationSystem-Wrestling.pdf. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-07-01. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "US Olympic wrestling trials 2020: Preview". Olympic Channel. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
- ^ Gallo, Ed (2020-03-28). "Pan-American Olympic qualifier: Wrestling breakdown - Retherford pinned, Tobier shines". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
- ^ "U.S. Team To Be Chosen on the Mat". Oklahoman.com. 1984-02-05. Retrieved 2021-08-17.