The protest, staged at the World Cup in Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling in Tehran, saw wrestlers from 14 countries unite on the mats and hold each other's hands in a sign of solidarity and brotherhood.

To support the action, Iran's Wrestling Federation had prepared banners in both English and Farsi with the slogan "Olympics Without Wrestling? Never, never..." 

Wrestling is Iran's biggest and most popular sport, with several million registered participants, and is their most successful Olympic sport.

Of the 15 gold medals Iran has won in the Olympics since they made their debut at Paris in 1900, eight have come in wrestling, including three at London 2012. 

The protest in Tehran once again highlighted how the decision to drop wrestling has brought together countries who are not normally naturual allies.

"Sports and particularly wrestling, has always been a great ambassador that has brought many nations together, including Iran and the United States," said Zeke Jones, America's freestyle wrestling coach.

"Wrestling has created a close relationship between the American and Iranian people.

"You'll have absolutely zero problem with the countries being unified on saving wrestling.

"The countries will do anything in working together to keep Olympic wrestling in the programe."

Hojatollah Khatib, the President of Iran's Wrestling Federation, promised that the protest was just the beginning of the campaign to keep the sport on the Olympic programme after Rio 2016.

"We should resist the decision, determinedly," he said. 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
February 2013: Olympic champion returns gold medal to Rogge in protest at decision to axe wrestling
February 2013: "We have been bad neighbours" admits new International Wrestling chief
February 2013: Putin backs new International Wrestling committee to keep sport in Olympics
February 2013: International Wresting President forced to quit after Olympic shock
February 2013: International wrestling chief must quit after bringing sport "to ruin" demand Russian Federation