Surto Interview: Nenad Lalovic (English Version)

Here's the original version of the FILA's president interview, Nenad Lalovic, to Surto Olímpico.

It was a surprise for you that the IOC have recommended the sport to be excluded from the Games in 2020?

“Yes it was a surprise. We didn’t see it coming. We should have, but we did not.”

Do you think that FILA ex-president have some guilt in the process that left wrestling on the verge of exclusion from the Olympic Games?

“There are some things that could have been done and were not.  We missed many chances to cooperate with the IOC and state our case. Because of these things we have a new president of FILA and we’re putting all of our efforts to correct what we feel is a mistake for the sport of Wrestling.”

In May, the IOC Executive Board will meet in St.Petersburg to recommend the sports that will be chosen in Buenos Aires, how confident are you to face this first hurdle?

“We are confident because we believe in our sport of wrestling. We believe it helps unite the world.  However, we know we have a very real challenge in front of us. But, we are fighters and we will fight for our sport.”

What you will do to sensibilize the IOC delegates to keep Wrestling on the Olympic program?

“First, we will listen to them. Then we will take their advice and improve many aspects of our sport.  And we will convince them of the value of our sport to the Olympic Games and to the world. 

Do you support the conduct of some athletes, who returned their Olympic medals, in protest after the decision of the IOC?

“We have asked our Olympic athletes not to give up their hard-won medals and return them to the IOC.  We appreciate their passion and we want them to be involved in our efforts. We welcome them to help us overcome this challenge.”

There’ll be any changes in wrestling, and in the FILA,  to convince the IOC members to vote against the decision of the Executive Board?

“We will talk about some changes for our sport in May at an Extraordinary Congress in Moscow.  Some of those changes will involve the rules. We need to simplify the rules and reward the aggressive and smart wrestler. We need to look at how we present the sport at international competitions.  And we need to address competitive uniforms and modernize what we’re doing.”

Please, leave some words for the Brazilian readers.

“Brazil is one of the greatest sports nations in the world.  The athletes are exceptional and the fans are passionate about their sports and their country. We in the sport of Wrestling have a special feeling about Brazil because we are joining the rest of the sports world to come to Rio de Janeiro in 2016 for the Olympic Games.  It is our proudest moment as a sport and the best wrestlers in the world will perform on this tremendous world stage.  Brazil will be a great backdrop for these Olympic Games and the world will see its beauty and joy.”