All of the world's top wrestling referees will get together this weekend in Florida at the FILA Advanced Course for Officials, to be held at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando, Fla., Dec. 6-8.

"We look forward to the opportunity to host the world's top wrestling referees," said USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender. "It is important to our organization and to the sport for referees to have quality learning opportunities. USA Wrestling feels passionate about doing what we can to help provide this. Officials education is very important to the sport."

The weekend will begin on Thursday, with a meeting of the FILA Officiating Committee, which will be conducted by FILA President Raphy Martinetti and FILA Vice President Mario Saletnig. A series of clinics and seminars will then be held on Friday and Saturday.

"What we are trying to do this week is make sure everybody is on the same level, and have the same understanding and the same interpretations," said Saletnig. "This instruction is for the Olympic Qualifiers, the Continental Championships and ultimately for the Olympic Games. Everybody must be in the same tune. It will be a very good week. These three days will be totally concentrating on rules and officiating."

All of the officials who have been identified as candidates for the 2008 Olympic Games are required to attend this clinic or they will not be selected to work the wrestling competition at the Beijing Games.

Rick Tucci, the President of the U.S. Wrestling Officials Association, is a member of the FILA Officiating Committee. He will be actively involved in the presentations that will be made during the weekend in his role as a FILA instructor.

"During the FILA Officiating Committee meeting, we will go through the rules and what we will be presenting on Friday and Saturday. I have a video to present, which shows many situations which the officials will be tested on," said Tucci.

There will be over 125 participants in the clinic, according to Pete Isais, USA Wrestling's National Events Manager, who has organized of the weekend. Approximately 110 of the participants are from other nations.

"We are excited to have all of the 2008 Olympic officials in Orlando for a great clinic and to build friendships moving forward," said Isais.

Included in the seminars will be a number of additional U.S. wrestling officials, who will be permitted to participate in the educational opportunities. Coaches will also be permitted to attend the meetings.

"I think this is important," said Tucci. "It allows our guys to mingle with the best officials in the world. We have invited some of our top officials, those with a bright future in officiating. They will become up to date with the rules. They will be able to take the rules modifications back to their states. They will be able to communicate what they learn around the country."

There are some specific goals that FILA hopes to achieve during the meetings, according to Saletnig.

"We have a problem with the application of the Greco-Roman clinch, from both the defensive and offensive point of view," said Saletnig. "It is my responsibility to make sure that by the end of the weekend everybody is on the same page."

USA Wrestling is honored to be selected to host this program, and to provide a high quality experience for all of the officials who travel to the United States to participate.

"This clinic brings together all of the best wrestling officials in the world. We fully support this endeavor. It is also exciting that we can expose many of our top referees to this program," said Bender.