Watch CBS News

Minn. Lawmaker Protests IOC's Wrestling Drop

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota lawmaker and former wrestler is going back to the mat, this time with the International Olympic Committee.

Forest Lake Republican Rep. Bob Dettmer introduced a resolution in the House, calling on the committee to reconsider its decision to drop wrestling from the 2020 Olympic Games. The committee's decision last week has unleashed a torrent of criticism.

While wrestling for Bemidji State University, Dettmer won a national championship for his weight class in 1971. He also wrestled in the trials for the 1972 Olympics in West Germany, and was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Dettmer coached wrestling at Forest Lake High School for more than 30 years before coming to the Legislature in 2007.

Minnesota Rep. Tim Walz co-authored a similar resolution in Congress last week.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.