COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 28, 2013)- USA Wrestling, the national governing body for the sport in America, and DICK’S Sporting Goods, the largest U.S. based full-line sporting goods retailer, announced today a partnership  to support the Keep Olympic Wrestling 2020 Vision Campaign.

DICK’S understands a final decision to cut wrestling from the Olympics would affect wrestlers worldwide, including millions of youth club, high school and college wrestlers. DICK’S supports the Keep Olympic Wrestling campaign through numerous activation platforms, including on their website, social media channels, email distribution and in-store promotions. Supporters are encouraged to visit DICK’S Facebook page to sign the Help Save Olympic Wrestling petition and encourage donations to support the campaign.

On February 12, 2013, the International Olympic Committee's Executive Committee voted to recommend wrestling be placed off the sports program for the Olympics beginning in 2020. Two votes, one in St. Petersburg, Russia in May, and another this September in Buenos Aires, Argentina, will decide whether the recommendation will be upheld or reversed.

USA Wrestling began a campaign domestically entitled "2020 Vision, Keep the Dream Alive" in March designed to raise funds as well as petition signatures (www.keepolympicwrestling.com).  USA Wrestling also formed an international coalition of the most powerful federations within the sport, all with the goal of persuading the IOC to reverse the decision.

“DICK’S Sporting Goods recognizes the dedication and values wrestling instils in young athletes and is proud to partner with USA Wrestling to support these elite competitors’dream to represent their country in the Olympics,” said Lauren Hobart, DICK’S Sporting Goods Chief Marketing Officer. “We encourage wrestling supporters to sign the petition to make their voices heard.”

Added USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender: "This is a historic time for our sport in many ways. DICK’S Sporting Goods is supporting us in a powerful way as their brand power and reach is helping us generate awareness to keep the sport in the Olympics.  To have them as a marketing partner in this challenging time is greatly appreciated. It will no doubt help the movement in our country."

“In less than two months,” added Bender, “USA Wrestling's campaign has registered more than 112,000 Facebook supporters, more than 300,000 signatures of support as well as more than $1,000,000 in donations to support its cause.”

ABOUT USA WRESTLING

USA Wrestling is the National Governing Body for the Sport of Wrestling in the United States and, as such, is its representative to the United States Olympic Committee and the International Wrestling Federation FILA. Simply, USA Wrestling is the central organization that coordinates amateur wrestling programs in the nation and works to create interest and participation in these programs. Its president is James Ravannack, and its Executive Director is Rich Bender.

ABOUT KEEP OLYMPIC WRESTLING AND 2020 VISION CAMPAIGN

In the United States, the official website is www.keepolympicwrestling.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/officialkeepwrestlingintheolympics, and on Twitter @wrestlingvision.

The international links for FILA are http://www.fila-official.com/, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/fila.official and on Twitter @FILA_Official.

About DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc.

DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc. is an authentic full-line sporting goods retailer offering a broad assortment of brand name sporting goods equipment, apparel and footwear in a specialty store environment. The Company also owns and operates Golf Galaxy, LLC, a golf specialty retailer. As of February 2, 2013, the Company operated 518 DICK'S Sporting Goods stores in 44 states, 81 Golf Galaxy stores in 30 states and eCommerce websites and catalog operations for DICK'S Sporting Goods and Golf Galaxy. DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc. news releases are available at www.dickssportinggoods.com/investors.  The Company’s website is not part of this release.