In the near future, sambo may enter the Olympic Games program

In the near future, sambo can enter the program of the Olympic Games. This opinion was expressed by the President of the All-Russian and European Sambo Federations Sergey Eliseev at a press conference on the Cup of the President of the Russian Federation, which will be held in Moscow on February 15.

“Today Sambo is experiencing a second birth, and in the near future we hope to achieve increased recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC),” Eliseev said in an interview with RIA Novosti. “We have the task of entering the Olympic Games program, and we are close to its implementation.”

He also added that most of the conditions and requirements of the International Sambo Federation have been fulfilled. "Recently, we invited the President of the IOC Jacques Rogge to Russia and made a presentation of their sport, an official application. In order to enter the program of the Olympic Games, it is necessary that the sport is developed in 75 countries on four continents. Four continents are already covered in us in 63 countries. I can say that 12 countries are in line for reception for the federation, so I think, within two years This question will be settled, ”said Eliseev.

The head of the All -Russian and European Sambo Federations also said that the president’s Cup competitions will be held in Russia for the second time. A year ago, the tournament was held in a team format, 8 teams participated in total, and Russia beat Georgia in the final. This time everything will be different: the most titled athletes in the world are invited - 6 fighters in each weight category. There will be 11 categories in total: 9 in ordinary sambo and 2 - in combat. These will be personal-command competitions.