After Team USA's incredible performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, wrestling fans across the country are looking forward to seeing this year's selection of elite wrestlers take to the mats at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. But by July, these athletes will have to compete for positions on the team.
Some of the best athletes return to secure their spots, including Olympic gold medalist and world men's 86kg champion David Taylor and two-time Olympic men's freestyle 97kg medalist Kyle Snyder. .
Assuming the U.S. earns a spot in that weight class, the winners of each weight class at the trials will determine the Olympic team heading to Paris this summer.
If you're lucky, you'll be able to get tickets to the event and watch all the trials live before your eyes. But don't worry if you can't do that. The trial broadcast, totaling more than 60 hours, will be broadcast live on USA Network and streamed on Peacock from Friday, April 19 to Saturday, April 20.
RELATED: Find out which new sports will debut at the 2024 Paris Olympics
Before we turn our attention to the event, here's a quick summary of what you need to know about the United States Wrestling Olympic Team Trials.
Where will the 2024 Olympic U.S. Wrestling Trials be held?
The U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials will be held April 19-20 at Penn State University's Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pennsylvania.
Penn State was originally scheduled to host the 2020 Tokyo Wrestling Trials, but the venue was ultimately changed due to restrictions put in place during the coronavirus pandemic. The university will host its first sponsored tournament this month, with more than 200 athletes in 18 different weight classes competing for a chance at the Summer Olympics.
Who will compete in the 2024 U.S. Olympic wrestling trials?
The final 18 spots for the trials were confirmed at the 2024 Wrestling Last Chance Olympic Team Trial Qualifier on April 6th, and 230 wrestlers are currently working hard toward the trials.
Athletes compete in different styles, including Greco-Roman wrestling, men's freestyle, and women's freestyle. According to NBC Sports, the United States has qualified for 13 of the 18 weight classes at the 2024 Summer Olympics and will compete for the remaining five spots at a world qualifying tournament in May.
Some of the biggest names in sports are expected to attend the trials, including two-time Olympic medalist Helen Maroulis, who won the 53kg weight class at the Rio Olympics and became the first American female athlete to win a gold medal in wrestling. is.
David McFadden, who won the men's freestyle 86kg division at the Last Chance OTT Qualifier, told USA Wrestling he couldn't be more grateful for the win. Six weeks ago, he took to the mat for the first time since breaking his ankle in December.
“Every decision I made, every practice, every training day, every life decision I made was to qualify for the Olympic Trials,” he said.
Related: How much do Olympic athletes get paid for competing?It's complicated — here's what we know
How can a wrestler qualify for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials?
Before qualifying for the Summer Olympics, all Olympic hopefuls must qualify for a trial tournament. USA Wrestling offers a lengthy selection process for each style. This can be seen below.
greco roman
women's freestyle
men's freestyle
These steps plan how athletes in each discipline will be considered in USA team selection based on qualifications such as weight class, and how each qualifying event will be conducted. This is a multi-step process, but the bottom line is that there are multiple ways to join the team.
Those who can't make it to Penn State to watch the 2024 Olympic wrestling team form can watch the tournament on USA Network and stream it on Peacock starting Friday, April 19 at 10 a.m. EST.
