A week ago, the U.S. Olympic Committee announced a new multi-sport event that will be held in the United States this winter: the Titan Games. This creative new competition will be held the Event Center at San Jose State University in San Jose, Calif., Feb. 14-15.    For wrestling fans, this is exciting news because a team of America's best wrestlers is scheduled to battle world powers Russia and Cuba in dual meets during the competition. Anyone who has seen top international wrestling dual meets understands how exciting this can be.    The Titan Games also offers an opportunity to expose international wrestling to people who may have never seen it. Anybody who buys a ticket to the Titan Games will have an opportunity to see a variety of Olympic sports all under one roof. To steal a saying from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey Circus, this should be one of "the greatest shows on earth."    In addition to wrestling, a Titan Games fan can see America's elite boxers, fencers, shot putters, weightlifters and judo, taekwondo and karate athletes competing side-by-side. The idea of combining a number of sports, all that share a combat theme, is something that has never been attempted and could be tremendously entertaining.    Multi-sports events such as the Olympic Games and the Pan American Games offer sports fans a chance to see a variety of sports over the course of many days. Of course, at these events, fans can only see the different sports one at a time. However, the idea of running the events in one facility, right next to each other, is something very new. This format could open so many new opportunities for the Olympic sports movement.    Obviously, USA Wrestling will promote its outstanding international dual meets to wrestling fans in the Western United States (and those willing to travel to see top wrestling). California is a hot-bed for wrestling, with more high school and youth wrestlers than any other state in the nation. In addition, the Bay Area has developed numerous U.S. star wrestlers over the years, and has a strong tradition in the sport.    Dual meets are among the most popular formats for international wrestling. USA Wrestling's World Duals, where a U.S. team faces an international team, are among the most highly-attended events on the annual schedule. The World Cup is also a fan favorite, as a number of top nations go head-to-head for team honors. The Goodwill Games wrestling competition, when held in Seattle and New York City, were among the most exciting wrestling events that have been hosted in our nation. The action is intense, and this format provides fans a great way to cheer for "Team USA."    Don't be surprised if one of San Jose's native sons, U.S. freestyle star Eric Guerrero, is on the U.S. team. The opportunity to compete against top international athletes in your home city is something that should be exciting for Guerrero, and will be a top draw for the event. There may be other California natives on the U.S. team, giving local wrestling fans a strong incentive to attend the competition just to see the wrestling.    However, this event also offers wrestling people a chance to invite friends and neighbors to see wrestling at its best. This will allow you to sell them on the multi-sport format, what makes the Olympic Games so special. A Titan Games fan can concentrate on just one sport, or can watch the action in a variety of sports.     Imagine having a wrestling match on one stage, a boxing match next to it and a judo contest on a third stage. With this kind of variety, spectators should be able to find plenty of action to enjoy, and may find a few new sports that they might watch in the future. If the action in boxing is not so hot, you can look to the wrestling mat or the judo mat.    Many people complain about the television coverage of the Olympic Games and how the networks often just showcase a few sports and ignore many of the other sports. Instead of a "Wide World of Sports" kind of approach at recent Olympics, the networks have chosen some favorite sports and "over-covered" them. Meanwhile, other sports are ignored or given time slots when people can not see them easily. What makes the Olympics so special, the vast choice of sports and activities, has been lost to the general public because of the national television quest for ratings and dollars.    The Titan Games will take that kind of editing away. Spectators at the event will be able to choose what sport they want to see, and when they want to see it. Those that only care about one sport will be happy. Those that like a variety of sports will also be happy. It will be the spectator that has the choice. It will be their Titan Games.    In the past, through my affiliation with the Olympic family, I have worked other combat sports as a press officer, including judo and taekwondo. I have to admit that I prefer wrestling to those sports, but seeing their best in action was very interesting. I have a feeling some of our wrestling fans will find enjoyment watching the boxing, judo, karate and other events, in addition to the high-quality wrestling action. And I am confident that the boxing or karate or judo fans will enjoy seeing a Cael Sanderson, Tina George or Dremiel Byers in wrestling action.    Rivalries drive the sports world, and the Titan Games should have some great ones. USA vs. Russia in wrestling is a traditional battle. USA vs. Cuba in boxing has a long history of emotional competition. USA vs. Korea in taekwondo is another big-time showdown. The fact that there is prize money at stake will make it even more intense.    The USOC does not do things small time, so you can expect that this event will be well marketed and presented in a high-class, entertaining fashion. I have seen some of the preliminary materials for this showcase, and I am very excited that wrestling has been included in the program.    If the 2003 Titan Games is a success, you can expect to see more such competitions. Wrestling will receive additional showcases, which will allow wrestling fans to see more great action and will expose our sport to many new people.     If you can get to San Jose on Feb. 14-15, I encourage you to attend the Titan Games. If you live in the area, tell other people about it. A strong showing by the wrestling community will go a long way in making the Titan Games a winner. And if the Titan Games makes it, we can expect more such opportunities.    Pre-sale tickets will be made available at www.usolympicteam.com/titangames through Nov. 30, with general tickets going on sale December 2. Check your calendar and make plans to be in San Jose in February!    Note: TheMatside View will appear on TheMat.com on Tuesdays.