Olympic Russian Wrestling at Crossroads as IOC Decision Nears
The crowded wrestling schools in the city of Khasavyurt, Dagestan have a tradition rich in Olympic champions. But the center of Russia’s wrestling world also sits at the crossroads of a North Caucasus Islamic insurgency that is eager to attract young, athletic recruits. In September, the International Olympic Committee will vote on the future of wrestling as an Olympic sport. Austin Malloy visits the city’s top wrestling schools to see how the vote will impact thousands of young men with dreams of Olympic glory.