IOC

Lalovic to Join IOC Executive Board

Wednesday, February 7, 2018 - 07:37 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (February 7) – United World Wrestling president Nenad Lalovic has been elected to the IOC Executive Board (EB) as representative for the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), following a recent vote by the 28 Summer International Federations. The IOC Session confirmed the vote this morning in Pyeongchang.

Lalovic will become the first EB member from the sport of wrestling.

A businessman from Belgrade, the 59-year-old Lalovic has overseen several dramatic and popular changes to one of the Olympic Games’ oldest sports. Lalovic was named the president of United World Wrestling in February 2013 and appointed as a full member of the IOC in August of 2015.

"The Executive Board has tremendous responsibility to assist the Olympic movement," said Lalovic. “I'm humbled to be a member of the board and contribute to its many missions and goals. I take pride in this position as representing all Summer Sports on the EB and will be a strong advocate for all of them.”

The EB consists of the IOC President, four Vice-Presidents and ten other members. Among its many concerns the EB assumes the overall responsibility for the administration of the IOC, approves the IOC's internal organization and is responsible for the management of the IOC's finances and prepares an annual report. The EB also conducts the procedure for acceptance and selection of candidatures for the organization of the Olympic Games and establishes the agenda for the IOC Sessions.

Click Here to learn more about the IOC Executive Board. (https://www.olympic.org/executive-board)

#WrestleBratislava

On 14th attempt, Prevolaraki wins historic European gold for Greece

Friday, April 11, 2025 - 22:47 By Vinay Siwach

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BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 11) -- Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) made her first trip to the European Championships in 2011 when she was 19 years old. She competed in 14 European Championships and returned home with eight medals -- four silvers and four bronzes -- over the last 13 years.

Now 33 and competing at her 14th European Championships, Prevolaraki won her first gold medal with a thrilling win over Andreea ANA (ROU), ending a 24-year wait for Greece to have a champion in Women's Wrestling at the continental event. Former world champion Sofia POUMPOURIDOU (GRE) was the last and only other European champion for Greece in Women's Wrestling.

"I am very happy that I managed to earn the gold medal," Prevolaraki said. "I was waiting so many years to be the European champion and I am 33 years old but I managed to do it."

Over the years, Prevolaraki has lost four finals, all to different opponents. But Friday, she managed to keep her composure in a close bout for the win.

"This time I am more experienced and I did not feel any pressure," she said.  I played freely and good things happen when you have no pressure."

Wrestling in Bratislava in the 53kg weight class, Prevolaraki was hit with passivity first and put on the 30-second clock which expired without Prevolaraki scoring to give Ana 1-0 lead.

Ana extended her lead to 3-0 when Prevolaraki tried to hit a cut-back but was unsuccessful in the move. With more than two minutes remaining, Ana tried defending her 3-0 lead but was put on the activity clock when 1:10 were left.

During the 30-second period, Prevolaraki went for the leg-attack but Ana moved and tried getting behind Prevolaraki which she almost did and tried throwing the Greek with a cradle. But Prevolaraki was alerted and did not land in danger and scored a takedown. The activity clock against Ana expired which added another point for Prevolaraki, making the score 3-3 with the Greece wrestler leading on criteria of last point scored.

Romania decided to challenge, a strategic one. Even a lost challenge would need Ana to score a point to win from 4-3 with Prevolaraki lead and 3-3 with criteria to Prevolaraki.

On review, Romania lost the challenge and Prevolaraki led 4-3. Ana hit a sweep single and tried forcing Prevolaraki out of bounds but the Greece wrestler turned it around to get Ana's head out first and get another point to lead 5-3 which she defended and won the gold medal.

Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE)Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) at the medal ceremony of the European Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

"I think I have had a good career," she said. "I am sad that I don't have an Olympic medal but I have many European medals and world Championships medals."

Prevolaraki, a four-time Olympian, a rare feat in wrestling, paid tribute to three-time Olympic champion Buvaisar SAITIEV, by wearing a shirt with his photo and message. Saitiev had passed away in March at the age of 49 years.

"The legend [Saitiev] is for all wrestler all over the world and his legend has no bounds. I wanted to pay a tribute to this legend," she said.