While the Olympic movement remains one of the most mocked international organizations there is more to the Games than the perceived slights, bribery scandals and politics that earns them scorn.
Despite the negative news clips there is real charm and impact delivered by the Olympic Games. The Olympics is a platform for a world discussion that isn't purely political. Sport is an opportunity for nations and individuals of all size to showcase their value system without fear of suppression -- an equal voice is given to all.
Wrestlers from Nigeria are brought up in an Olympic system that teaches them to have the same goals as wrestlers from Nebraska, Mongolia and Italy. That shared experience is unique. Employment and specialties vary by region, religions split, and politics cause upheaval, but everywhere in the world sport remains sport. Sprinting and swimming greatness will always be dictated by speed; wrestling significance measured by gold medals won through some unspecified combination of athleticism and grit.
Yes, the Games are flawed, but the money they generate goes to support hundreds of thousands of athletes worldwide. That's all years. That's every year. That number balloons further when you add in that participating nations and government are motivated to excel at the Games and that equates to funding the training of their local athletes. Prize money may remain minimal, but a world in which sport and active play are the centerpiece of life is one far better than where they are suppressed.
Olympic Day is a moment to reflect not on the International Olympic Committee, but on the millions of athletes around the world who today will go to practice in pursuit of their goal to become an Olympic gold medalist. Olympic fame might be a personal goal, but it's one that unites the world and it deserves to be celebrated.
To your questions …
Aaron Pico at the Bellator pre-event press conference (Photo/Juan Garcia)Q: Aaron Pico makes his MMA debut on Saturday night in Madison Square Garden. He's getting a lot of hype on ESPN.com and other national sports media outlets. Do you think he will live up to the hype in his MMA career?
-- Mike C.
Foley: If you look back at the past few years of MMA there has been a lot of hollow hype about up-and-coming fighters. Sage Northcutt and CM Punk aside, the promotions are there to promote their fighters and big cards, and that often comes at the expense of fact.
Pico is different. If his only skill set was wrestling there may be some concern that this amount of hype is unwarranted. But the hype really comes from that impeccable wrestling pedigree and a high proficiency as a boxer. While he might have some weaknesses in jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai, Pico is well suited to keep this fight standing. Being able to control the latitude of a fight is what made Georges St. Pierre and Daniel Cormier champions of the sport. When you have the final say in where the fight goes then, saving a lucky shot or equally matches opponent, you dictate the outcome, too.
Aaron Pico could very well get knocked out, or choked unconscious. Fighting is crazy. But the hype is real and on Saturday my guess is that they hype will only grow.
Q: This is a fun debate that my friends and I have had over the years. If someone suddenly wanted to learn about wrestling in America, and had no previous knowledge of anything, who are the five wrestlers, you would tell the person to study? The Mt. Rushmore plus one so-to-speak?
-- Jared W.
Foley:
1. John Smith. "Single" greatest wrestler in American history.
2. Dan Gable. Seems to have been the first wrestler to be granted a legendary status. His triumphs on the mats were always only a sliver of the whole story. Also, his ability to motivate and lead programs is noteworthy.
3. Bruce Baumgartner. The size of the wrestler matters. Baumgartner wrestled in four Olympic Games and medaled four times. For an American that's a feat that will likely never be matched.
4. Cael Sanderson. The first to go undefeated and win four NCAA titles was a massive accomplishment. To then also win an Olympic gold medal and become one of the greatest coaches ever is certainly Mt. Rushmore-worthy.
5. Jordan Burroughs. Has been an incredible ambassador for the sport of wrestling as it has made its way into the media age. Also, he's an incredible competitor whose talents changed the way entire nation's selected and prepared for competition.
What do you make of Rei Higuchi losing in the Japan Nationals? Was he a one-hit wonder in Rio? Or do you see him contending for world and Olympic medals in the future?
-- Mike C.
Foley: As a fan of international wrestling I'm a little disappointed we don't get to see Rei in Paris. His single leg is one of the most beautiful attacks in the sport and his will to win leads to some exciting matches.
I don't think Higuchi is a one-hit wonder. He is just evenly matched with Rinya Nakamura who were in constant contest in Japan's collegiate wrestling ranks. That familiarity left Higuichi no room for error and when the time came to perform it was Nakamura who made waves.
While 61 kilograms will be one of the most contested weight classes in Paris, I think that we'll see Nakamura in the medal rounds.
Q: With the death of a former MMA fighter in a boxing ring this past weekend, do you think a new light will be brought upon the upcoming Conor McGregor-Floyd Mayweather fight? Does an MMA fighter really belong in the ring with a boxer? In a boxing match?
-- Jeremy T.
The Marquess of Queensbury rules instituted the use of gloves in boxing matches. The choice was to ensure that boxers wouldn't break their hands hitting the hardened heads of their opponents, and thus not end fights prematurely. The result was longer fights, fewer knockouts and much, much more brain damage.
McGregor is not a professional boxer, but he has fought in the amateur leagues and has considerable time in the cage. So did Tim Hague. While I don't think there is any concern that McGregor will die inside the ring, the question is certainly relevant: Who deserves to be licensed and who needs to be kept out of the ring?
Most state athletic commissions essentially leave it up to the fighter, which means that accidents like Tim Hague are bound to occur. It would be a welcome change of pace if the athletic commissions would at least on occasion restrict access to the ring for the sport's older and more damaged fighters.
MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME
Underdog
Wrestling is a brotherhood. The story of one, told by another. This Sunday, 9 a.m. ET, ESPN. pic.twitter.com/lMHg8EUa3I
�" E:60 (@E60) June 21, 2017
Joe Rogan on Conor vs. Floyd
Link: Best Photo Essay of the Year
Q: Any word on what drug Jordan Oliver tested positive for? I haven't seen it released in any of the reports.
-- Mike C.
Foley: Haven't seen anything listed. Would need to check the USADA list once it become public.
Q: Is Franklin Gomez expected to compete at the World Championships? Is he still training with the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club?
-- Mike C.
Foley: Yes and yes!
Q: Can you please tell me if Boise State wrestling has gained any traction in trying to get their program back? If they do cut it for good and with Fresno State going to the Big 12 it does not look good for the future of the Pac-12 Conference. This was a top wrestling school and it really makes me nervous for a lot of other programs who don't have the support and recent success of the Big Ten and ACC schools. What are some things the smaller programs can do to help themselves gain support and be more financially independent? I'm hoping for a miracle for the Boise State program.
-- Mike S.
Foley: Boise State is in miracle mode. Maybe the only way it can be saved is through a combination of fundraising for the program and political pressure from those concerned that the proposed baseball team is too much of a cost burden.
However, you must look at the other side of what you wrote. Given the reasons you stated (support, programs headed to Big 12) wouldn't the AD have some legitimate and usable justifications for cutting the program? The bigger issue here is the popularity of the sport out west. With waning interest and a lack of population density the number of high school and college programs out west has been in freefall. That trend is sure to continue unless the fans out west can create significantly more interest and then fund that interest within their particular programs.
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