Since the beginning of times, wrestling has always been one of the major physical activities of mankind.
Very quickly wrestling became a sport and it was one of the first sports disciplines to be included in the programme of Ancient Olympic Games.
Since the first modern Olympic Games held in 1896 in Athens, men's wrestling has always been included in the programme of olympic sports. Women's wrestling is also now an olympic sport discipline as in 2004 in Athens it will be included for the first time in the programme of the Olympic Games.
On the eve of the Stockholm Olympic Games in 1912, National Federations understood the pressing necessity to create an unanimously recognised organisation and to draw up common rules and principles.
Consequently, the FILA was founded in 1912 and its headquarters were established consecutively in :
Sweden from 1912 to 1946
France from 1946 to 1965
Switzerland, in Lausanne, olympic capital and IOC headquarters, since 1965, where it is still established. The FILA was the first International Federation to move to Lausanne.
Currently, FILA has 156 affiliated National Federations, distributed among the five continents.
On each continent, there is a Continental Committee gathering all National Federations. The Continental Committee is in charge of the promotion and development of wrestling.
FILA organizes each year :
Senior - Junior World Championships Freestyle - Greco-Romfr- Women's Wrestling
Senior - Junior Continental Championships Freestyle - Greco-Romfr- Women's Wrestling
cadet Continental Championships Freestyle - Greco-Romfr- Women's Wrestling
and more than 150 international tournaments in all styles and for all age groups.
Wrestling is also included in the programme of Continental and Regional Multisports Games and in the programme of particular competitions, such as those for students, servicemen, etc.
FILA is headed by its President, Mr. Raphaël Martinetti, elected since 2002 and by a Bureau formed of 16 elected members and 3 co-opted members, each of them being a Continental President.
FILA supreme body is its Congress which takes place every two years, witch defines the FILA policy. The FILA President, Secretary General and Excecutive committee shall manage the FILA's day to day affairs and business.
Former FILA Presidents :
Einaar Raberg (Sweden) 1921 - 1924
Alfred Brull (Hungary) 1924 - 1930
Viktor Smeds (Finland) 1930 - 1952
Roger Coulon (France) 1952 - 1971
Milan Ercegan (Yougoslavie) 1972 - 2002
Very quickly wrestling became a sport and it was one of the first sports disciplines to be included in the programme of Ancient Olympic Games.
Since the first modern Olympic Games held in 1896 in Athens, men's wrestling has always been included in the programme of olympic sports. Women's wrestling is also now an olympic sport discipline as in 2004 in Athens it will be included for the first time in the programme of the Olympic Games.
On the eve of the Stockholm Olympic Games in 1912, National Federations understood the pressing necessity to create an unanimously recognised organisation and to draw up common rules and principles.
Consequently, the FILA was founded in 1912 and its headquarters were established consecutively in :
Sweden from 1912 to 1946
France from 1946 to 1965
Switzerland, in Lausanne, olympic capital and IOC headquarters, since 1965, where it is still established. The FILA was the first International Federation to move to Lausanne.
Currently, FILA has 156 affiliated National Federations, distributed among the five continents.
On each continent, there is a Continental Committee gathering all National Federations. The Continental Committee is in charge of the promotion and development of wrestling.
FILA organizes each year :
Senior - Junior World Championships Freestyle - Greco-Romfr- Women's Wrestling
Senior - Junior Continental Championships Freestyle - Greco-Romfr- Women's Wrestling
cadet Continental Championships Freestyle - Greco-Romfr- Women's Wrestling
and more than 150 international tournaments in all styles and for all age groups.
Wrestling is also included in the programme of Continental and Regional Multisports Games and in the programme of particular competitions, such as those for students, servicemen, etc.
FILA is headed by its President, Mr. Raphaël Martinetti, elected since 2002 and by a Bureau formed of 16 elected members and 3 co-opted members, each of them being a Continental President.
FILA supreme body is its Congress which takes place every two years, witch defines the FILA policy. The FILA President, Secretary General and Excecutive committee shall manage the FILA's day to day affairs and business.
Former FILA Presidents :
Einaar Raberg (Sweden) 1921 - 1924
Alfred Brull (Hungary) 1924 - 1930
Viktor Smeds (Finland) 1930 - 1952
Roger Coulon (France) 1952 - 1971
Milan Ercegan (Yougoslavie) 1972 - 2002




















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