FILA, the international wrestling federation, has announced that its new FILA International Wrestling Hall of Fame will be housed at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Stillwater, Okla.    FILA (Federation Internationale des Luttes Associees) is the international governing body for wrestling, with headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. Representing FILA President Raphael Martinetti in Stillwater this weekend is FILA Vice President Mario Saletnig.    "FILA is proud to create a Hall of Fame program, to honor the greatest wrestlers in world history," said Mr. Saletnig.  "Wrestling has produced many great champions and leaders who deserve recognition. We are pleased to announce that the U.S. National Wrestling Hall of Fame will display these great champions in their outstanding facility."    The announcement of this new partnership was made during the Oklahoma State vs. Iowa college wrestling dual meet at Oklahoma State University on Sunday, January 12. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum is located adjacent to the Oklahoma State athletic facilities.    FILA has  developed an Internet Hall of Fame project, which will honor these Hall of Fame members. This virtual Hall of Fame, when completed,  will allow people across the world to view the FILA Hall of Fame honorees at any time over the internet.    The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Stillwater has been selected as the physical site for the FILA Hall of Fame. The FILA Hall of Fame will be placed in a prime location within the Hall of Fame and Museum facility, immediately to the right of the main entrance.    "On behalf of our Board of Governors, we are very excited to work with FILA to honor the world's best  wrestlers," said Myron Roderick, President of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum. "We look forward to providing an outstanding setting for these heroes to be displayed. Sports fans from across the world will now have an opportunity to learn about international wrestling's most successful and exciting stars."    The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum houses an impressive collection of wrestling memorabilia and historic materials. Each year, it honors the most successful athletes, coaches and leaders in American wrestling as Distinguished Members, along with other major recognition programs.    Larry Sciacchetano of the United States, a member of the FILA Bureau, actively introduced the concept of the FILA Hall of Fame, and was an important leader in the development of the project.    "This started as a plan to have a Hall of Fame internet site," said Mr. Sciacchetano. "The partnership with the National Wrestling Hall of Fame came later. This is a truly great fit for both groups. It is great for the Hall of Fame as it provides the chance to display the legacy of international wrestling. It is great for FILA to have a physical site to display their champions with a group that has tremendous experience."    FILA has selected an inaugural class of FILA Hall of Fame inductees this year. A total of 10 individuals will be formally inducted into the FILA Hall of Fame during the 2003 World Championships of Freestyle Wrestling at Madison Square Garden in New York City, N.Y., Sept. 12-14.    Wrestling has a rich history, going back to the earliest civilizations of human existance. Wrestling was one of the sports included in the original ancient Greek Olympic Games, and was among the sports included in the first modern Olympic Games held in 1896. There are two wrestling styles in the Olympic Games today, freestyle and Greco-Roman. For the first time, women wrestlers will compete in the Olympics at the 2004 Athens Games.    The United States also has a long and successful wrestling legacy. Wrestlers from the United States have been very successful on the international level, and have won numerous Olympic and World medals. The United States won the Men's Freestyle World Team Title in both 1993 and 1995, and the Women's Freestyle World Team Title in 1999.