JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Gov. Sean Parnell is calling upon the International Olympic Committee to reinstate wrestling as part of the Olympics.

Parnell joined the governors of 30 other states and Puerto Rico in a letter voicing their concern to IOC President Jacques Rogge.

Last month, the IOC voted to drop wrestling from the 2020 games in order to "streamline" the Olympics.

The letter stressed the benefits of the sport. And it added the sport's history should be of paramount importance in the consideration to remove wrestling from the quadrennial competition.

Wrestling has been part of every summer Olympics since the modern games began in 1896.

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Online

Parnell's letter: http://1.usa.gov/13Ith5L