#WrestleBelgrade

Explainer: How do wrestlers qualify for the Paris Olympic Games?

By Eric Olanowski

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 4) --- The path to Paris for 288 athletes will be a three stage process to determine who will wrestle for Olympic glory.

The first phase will take place in Belgrade, Serbia, at the 2023 World Championships, September 16-24th, where five quotas for the each of the 18 Olympic categories—a total of 90 quotas—will be allocated.

Wrestlers who earn a gold, silver or bronze will earn a bid. Additionally, the losers of the bronze-medal matches will wrestle in true fifth match, determining the fifth allocation in Belgrade.

Phase two is the continental qualification phase where 144 quotas handed out at the:
- Pan American Olympic Qualifier (Acapulco, Mexico, March 1-3)
- African Olympic Qualifier (Alexandria, Egypt, March 22-24)
- European Olympic Qualifier (Baku, Azerbaijan, April 4-7)
- Asian Olympic Qualifier (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, April 19-21)

The first and second place finishers at the Continental Olympic Qualifier earn an automatic bid to the Paris Olympics for their nation. 

The final stage for the Paris Olympic qualifying process comes down to Istanbul, Türkiye, for the Last Chance Qualifier, where the final 54 tickets will be booked. The gold and silver medalists and the winner of a true third match will punch their ticket to the Olympics.

Follow all the action from the World Championships, Continental Olympic Qualifiers and the Last Chance Qualifier, live on UWW+ or on, “The Home Of Wrestling,” UWW’s app.

#development, #Anti-Doping

UWW, ITA deliver anti-doping education at World Championships camp

By United World Wrestling Press

POREC, Croatia (September 11) -- The United World Wrestling recently hosted a successful on-site Anti-Doping education event in collaboration with the International Testing Agency at the World Championships acclimatization camp in Poreč.

This marked the first time UWW partnered with ITA to deliver education directly at a training camp. A dedicated booth was set up on September 8 and 9 during the camp, and presentation sessions, led by ITA educator Anita HARTUNG, were held during the evenings of both days.

"The camp offered a great opportunity to connect with athletes ahead of their major competition," Hartung said. "Many stopped by the Clean Sport booth before and after training, showing genuine interest and openness in discussing the fundamentals of Anti-Doping.

"It was inspiring to be surrounded by such a motivated athlete community and support them in their sporting journey."

The sessions provided athletes with in-depth knowledge about Anti-Doping rules, safe supplement use, and ethical sporting practices.

Two dedicated presentation sessions explored key topics, including athletes’ rights and responsibilities, how to check medications, Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs), Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs), and the risks associated with supplement use.

Holding the sessions during the acclimatization period, rather than the competition phase, allowed athletes to engage in a more relaxed environment and fully focus on learning.

CRO

"These are some of the best wrestlers in the world, and thanks to the collaboration with ITA, they are better informed,” Carlos ROY, UWW Secretary General, said. "Education on Anti-Doping protects our sport, promotes fair competition, and ensures our athletes can perform at their best with confidence."

The initiative reflects UWW’s ongoing commitment to clean sport and athlete support. By equipping wrestlers with knowledge and tools to make informed choices, UWW and ITA aim to strengthen integrity in wrestling while fostering a culture of safe and fair competition.

The Anti-Doping education sessions are part of a broader effort by UWW to provide athletes with continuous learning opportunities on the importance of competing clean, complementing existing regulations and testing programs.

With the World Championships on the horizon, these activities ensure that athletes are not only physically and technically prepared but also well-informed about Anti-Doping practices, reinforcing the values of integrity, fairness, and excellence in wrestling.