Staff at United World Wrestling have had their salaries cut by 50 per cent as the organisation introduces cost-saving measures due to the coronavirus pandemic ©Getty Images

United World Wrestling (UWW) has announced that its staff have had their salaries halved as part of cost-saving measures introduced as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The decision affects all UWW staff based at its headquarters in Corsier-sur-Vevey in Switzerland.

All the governing body's external staff have received a reduction in monthly service fees and scope of work - adjustments that remain in place until further notice.

UWW says the moves were necessary as a result of "the global health and financial impact of COVID-19."

A number of other International Federations have placed staff on furlough or implemented similar salary cuts as sport struggled to cope with the financial consequences of the pandemic.

United World Wrestling is launching a series of video conferences with athletes and National Federations while the coronavirus pandemic forces a shutdown of the sport ©Getty Images
United World Wrestling is launching a series of video conferences with athletes and National Federations while the coronavirus pandemic forces a shutdown of the sport ©Getty Images

Meanwhile, to help improve understanding of the concerns of National Federations, athletes and others associated with the sport, UWW's development team has launched a series of online video conferences.

UWW says the aim of the video conferences "is to initiate and sustain open conversation with athletes and federations so we can regularly and effectively address their concerns."

A UWW statement added: "United World Wrestling remains committed to supporting its athletes and wrestling family through these challenging times. 

"We will continue to find new and innovative ways to connect and in doing so we will ensure that when we do gather again our community will be well prepared to deliver a top-level product to the world."