When Is the Wrestling Olympics? Paris 2024 Dates & Schedule

By Sarah Miller · May 14, 2033

The next Olympic wrestling competition will take place at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, scheduled from August 5 to August 11, 2024. Wrestling is held every four years as part of the Summer Olympic Games and features two disciplines: freestyle and Greco-Roman, with events for both men and women.

When Are Wrestling Events Held in the Olympics?

Wrestling is a core sport in the Summer Olympic Games and has been part of the modern Olympics since 1896, with the exception of the 1912 Games. It is contested every four years, aligning with the Olympic cycle.

2024 Paris Olympics Wrestling Schedule

The wrestling events at the Paris 2024 Olympics will be held at the Champ de Mars Arena, a temporary structure near the Eiffel Tower. The competition spans seven days:

August 5–7, 2024: Men's Greco-Roman (60kg, 77kg, 87kg, 97kg, 130kg)
August 8–10, 2024: Women's Freestyle (50kg, 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 68kg, 76kg)
August 10–11, 2024: Men's Freestyle (57kg, 65kg, 74kg, 86kg, 97kg, 125kg)

All matches will be broadcast live via official Olympic platforms and local broadcasters.

History and Evolution of Olympic Wrestling

Wrestling is one of the oldest Olympic sports, dating back to ancient Greece. In the modern era, it was included in the first modern Olympics in Athens in 1896.

Key Milestones

1896: Men's Greco-Roman wrestling introduced.
1904: Men's freestyle added in St. Louis.
2004: Women's freestyle wrestling debuted in Athens.
2013: IOC voted to remove wrestling from 2020, but reinstated after global reform efforts.
2024: Paris hosts wrestling with equal gender representation—six weight classes each for men and women.

Olympic Wrestling Rules and Format

Olympic wrestling consists of two distinct styles: Greco-Roman and freestyle. Each match is divided into two or three periods depending on the round, with scoring based on takedowns, exposure, and control.

Differences Between Freestyle and Greco-Roman

Freestyle: Allows holds on the entire body, including legs; leg attacks are permitted.
Greco-Roman: Prohibits holds below the waist; no leg attacks or use of legs in offense.

Tournament Structure

Each weight class follows a single-elimination bracket with a repechage system to determine bronze medalists. The final features the top two winners from each half of the bracket.

Weight Class (Men)	Style	Athletes (Paris 2024)	Defending Champion
57 kg	Freestyle	16	Ravi Kumar Dahiya (IND)
74 kg	Freestyle	16	Zaurbek Sidakov (ROC)
97 kg	Greco-Roman	16	Mijain Lopez (CUB)
130 kg	Greco-Roman	16	Mijain Lopez (CUB)
76 kg	Women's Freestyle	16	Amit Elor (USA)

Table data source:United World Wrestling, Olympics.com

The table shows key weight categories and defending champions heading into Paris 2024. Notably, Mijain Lopez of Cuba aims for a historic fifth gold medal in Greco-Roman. The athlete quota remains stable at 16 per weight class, ensuring competitive depth.

Qualification Process for Olympic Wrestling

Nations earn quotas through continental and world qualification tournaments. A total of 288 wrestlers (192 men, 96 women) will compete in Paris.

Pathways to Qualify

World Championships (2023): Top 3 in each weight class secure spots for their country.
Continental Tournaments: One spot per region per weight class.
World Olympic Games Qualifier (May 2024): Final opportunity; top 3 per weight qualify.
Host Nation: France reserves one automatic entry per gender if not already qualified.

Individual athletes do not compete directly; instead, nations earn slots, which are then assigned by national federations.

Top Medal Contenders in Paris 2024

Several athletes are poised to dominate in Paris based on recent performances.

Mijain Lopez (Cuba): Four-time Olympic champion in Greco-Roman 130kg, seeking fifth gold.
Kayla Harrison (USA): Transitioning to freestyle; former two-time judo Olympic gold medalist.
Amit Elor (USA): Young phenom, 2023 World Champion at 72kg, moved up to 76kg.
Abdulrashid Sadulaev (Individual Neutral Athlete): Two-time Olympic champ, competing under neutral flag due to sanctions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Olympic Wrestling

When is the next Olympic wrestling event?

The next Olympic wrestling competition will be held from August 5 to August 11, 2024, during the Paris Summer Olympics at the Champ de Mars Arena.

How often is wrestling in the Olympics?

Wrestling is held every four years as part of the Summer Olympic Games. It has been a regular sport since 1896, except for the 1912 edition.

Is wrestling in the 2024 Olympics?

Yes, wrestling will be featured at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Both freestyle and Greco-Roman events will take place with full gender equality in weight classes.

What are the two types of wrestling in the Olympics?

The two styles are freestyle and Greco-Roman. Freestyle allows attacks using the legs, while Greco-Roman restricts holds below the waist and prohibits leg involvement.

Why was wrestling almost removed from the Olympics?

In 2013, the IOC recommended dropping wrestling due to concerns over governance, popularity, and TV ratings. Global reforms led by United World Wrestling resulted in its reinstatement in 2013 for the 2020 and 2024 Games.