The Committee to Preserve Olympic Wrestling (CPOW) and actor Billy Baldwin today announced an auction to benefit the Keep Olympic Wrestling movement. The auction, hosted online by eBay, will feature various items from Hollywood celebrities, wrestling and MMA legends, and one-of-a-kind experiences.
On February 12th, the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee recommended that wrestling not be a core sport of the Olympic Games beginning in 2020. In June, wrestling was named one of three finalists for the final provisional spot in the 2020 and 2024 Games. The final decision will be made by vote of the IOC General Assembly in September.
Baldwin, a former high school and college wrestler and 2003 inductee into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame has worked with CPOW since the IOC announcement in February, and has been instrumental in getting Hollywood behind the Keep Olympic Wrestling movement. The proceeds will go CPOW’s efforts to Keep Olympic Wrestling and to promote the value of wrestling to young men and women worldwide.
"The values of work ethic, discipline and mental toughness that are instilled through training and competition transcend the sport of wrestling," said Baldwin. "Later in life, when you are fighting your way through adversity, dealing with the challenges of being a husband and father, or in the pursuit of your career, they will come back to serve you well."
The first of three auctions will launch this Friday, July 12th at www.ebay.com/savewrestling. Sign up now for an email reminder when it goes live!
Some of the items you will be able to bid on include:
Rio 2016 Summer Games packages, including event tickets and VIP access Chris Weidman Premium MMA Experience Walk-on role on "Boardwalk Empire" and a meet and greet with Steve Buscemi Attend the premier of "Foxcatcher" starring Mark Ruffalo, Channing Tatum, and Sienna Miller One-hour training session with "The Natural" Randy Couture; includes 3 days/2 nights at the D Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas Meet Jay Leno at "The Tonight Show" and go backstage to the legendary green room. Spend the afternoon with Mario Lopez on the set of "Extra" Lunch with Tom Arnold Watch the Mike & Mike Show live at ESPN and have lunch with Mike Golic Ultimate VIP UFC package including tickets and gear Pre-fight experience with IMPACT star and former Olympian Kurt Angle
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