Olympic medals, World/Olympic G.O.A.T’s, and more…

Hi 👋

Welcome to Week #28 of the Wrestling Snacks newsletter.

This week I thought I’d do something a little different in honor of the Olympic Trials going on today and tomorrow. I thought it would be fun to share some World/Olympic medal stats to get everyone excited for some great wrestling that is about to commence.

Side Note: If you’d like to watch the John Smith Retirement News Conference, click the link HERE. Lots of goodies and insight from one of the GOAT’s.

Let’s GO 💪

News Bites

• How to watch live U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Wrestling live on Peacock and USA Network

• Arujau Will Not Compete at 2024 Olympic Team Trials

• Carter Starocci Bumps up to 86kg for Olympic Team Trials

• 2024 Women's Nationals Final Results

• 4x All-American Kyle Parco (ASU) has entered the transfer portal for his final year of eligibility

• Zach Tanelli resigns as Head Coach from Columbia

Olympic History

The ancient Olympic Games, originating around 776 BC in Olympia, Greece, initially featured a single footrace known as the "stade." Over time, the games expanded to include various athletic competitions among representatives of the city-states, with wrestling introduced in 708 BC as a significant sport, valued as a form of military exercise without weapons. Notable wrestlers included Milo of Croton, who won six Olympic wrestling championships between 540 BC and 520 BC, and Leontiskos of Messene, known for his strategy of breaking opponents' fingers.

In 393 AD, Emperor Theodosius I banned the Greek Olympics, deeming them a pagan festival incompatible with Christian values. This led to a hiatus lasting over 1,500 years until the modern Olympics were revived in 1896 by Baron Pierre de Coubertin. Wrestling was included in the inaugural modern Games in Athens in 1896, omitted only in 1900, and reintroduced permanently from 1904 in St. Louis with freestyle wrestling and weight classes. Women's wrestling was added to the Olympics in 2004.

Olympic Medals

The United States has won a total of 54 Olympic Gold medals, 44 Silver medals and 41 Bronze medals. Below is complete list of all the American Medalist: