With the Olympics now here, everyone is able to come together as Americans and support our athletes in Rio. You can say that the support here in America started early as a National Poll was done to determine who should have the tremendous honor of carrying the American flag during the open ceremony.
Not many Olympians are bestowed this honor and, sadly, a great Olympian was snubbed. Jordan Burroughs was heavily supported by members of the wrestling world as he received 33 percent of the vote, while Michael Phelps received considerably less votes. Everyone knows that Michael Phelps is an amazing and dominate athlete in his sport. He looks to improve on his Olympic medal count in Rio, which stands at 22. Yet this was a big moment for the sport of wrestling, which truly needed that type of exposure.
In the past, wrestling was on the brink of being taken out of the Olympic games but a strong rebuttal from the International Wrestling Community has ended that. However, wrestling has not received the exposure it deserves to aid in increasing its popularity.
With the aforementioned poll, wrestlers all across the United States stood up and tried to make Jordan Burroughs the 2012 Olympic Gold medalist at 74kg the first U.S. team flag bearer since the legendary Bruce Baumgartner did so 20 years ago at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Jordan Burroughs has come to be know as one of the most explosive and dominate wrestlers in American history, as he has won three world titles and an Olympic gold medal. In World Championship/Olympic competition he has a record of 24-1. That is insanely dominant and another Olympic gold could place him within a tier of American wrestling greats that include the likes of Lee Kemp, Bruce Bamugartner, and John Smith.
Jordan Burroughs also has been credited with helping increasing the popularity of the sport of wrestling with his highly offensive style and devastating double leg takedown, that hasn't been stopped by any wrestler in the past six years. With a great personality and a pure example of hard work many younger wrestlers look up to him. Some even go as far as to call him the Michael Jordan of wrestling with all that he has accomplished since he has arrived on scene.
He must be very popular to receive 33 percent of the national vote. Sadly, this was a tough blow for USA wrestling as it, in my opinion, shows where we sit on the sports totem pole as such a great athlete was overlooked. I believe that Jordan Burroughs should have carried our great flag. But as August 5 came and Michael Phelps walked out with our flag, I was deeply saddened as the voices of thousands of people that love the great sport of wrestling were simply unheard. I was happy for Phelps, but as a wretsler myself, I could help but feel that JB should've been in his spot.
I look to see all American athletes medals this year and I strongly believe that both men will win gold. But to me, it's more special to see Burroughs do it. Yes he has won a championship at every level, but all wrestlers know you only get one shot and he has to be as close to perfect as possible ever time he steps on the mat to retain his crown as the man at the 74kg weight class.
Michael Phelps has multiple chances during the Olympics to win Gold Medals, Burroughs only has his one shot and thousands look to tune in next week to see it happen. With another spectacular performance this year and continued support from America's wrestling community we can show why Jordan and our community was snubbed of a great opportunity and that Wrestling belongs right where it is in the Olympics.
