The National Federation of State High School Associations has issued a statement expressing the organizations disappointment with the International Olympic Committee’s vote to drop wrestling from the 202 Olympic Games.

The NFHS is the national leadership organization for high school sports and performing activities in the USA.

According to the NFHS wrestling has more than 272,000 male participants at the high school level, and is the sixth most popular sport among high school student. In addition, there are over 8,200 female athletes at the high school level competing in wrestling. 

“In certain areas of our nation, one of the hardest tickets to find is to the state high school wrestling tournament,” said Bob Gardner, NFHS Director. 

The NFHS encompasses more than 19,000 high schools and 11 million participants across all 50 states, and the organization hopes to see the continued success of wrestling in America. 

“While the sport is healthy and vibrant at the American high school level, it should also remain a part of the world’s most treasured sporting event – the Olympic Games,” Gardner said.

For more information on the NFHS visit www.nfhs.org