Acting President of FILA Nenad Lalovic signs a Letter of Understanding with the European Olympic Committee (EOC) to include the sport of wrestling in the 2015 European Games to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan. Also participating in the signing are (left) Tzenov Treno with the European Wrestling Council and Pierce O'Callaghan with the EOC. (Photo: FILA News Bureau)

Lausanne, Switzerland — Mr. Nenad Lalovic, Acting President of FILA, the international federation of the sport of wrestling, met with representatives of the European Olympic Committee today and after positive and constructive discussions about the inclusion of the sport in the inaugural European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2015, a Letter of Understanding to participate was signed by both parties.
 
It is envisioned that wrestling’s competition at the European Games will include the same disciplines as the Olympic Games:  men and women’s freestyle and Greco-Roman.  The competition at the European Games will be a qualifying event for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.  Eighteen sports will be on the program of the games.
 
The Letter of Understanding will be superseded by a Memorandum that will be signed between the Baku 2015 Organizing Committee and FILA in the coming weeks.
 
“I’d like to thank the European Olympic Committee for its constructive approach in welcoming the sport of wrestling into the inaugural European Games in Baku,” said Lalovic who took over the role of federation acting president in February.  “This is important to our sport and it will take place in one of the most passionate wrestling countries in the world. “
 
“Baku is delighted to welcome FILA into the 2015 European Games,” said Azad Rahimov, Minister of Youth and Sport of Azerbaijan.  “Wrestling is among our most important national sports and we are sure that the wrestling competitions in Baku will be a major attraction at these Games.  With the signing of a Letter of Understanding with FILA, we are one step closer to the successful completion of our sports program for 2015.”