DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa lawmakers are continuing the effort to keep wrestling in the Olympics. The state House and Senate passed resolutions Thursday calling on the International Olympic Committee to reconsider the decision to drop wrestling from the 2020 games.  Democratic Sen. Tod Bowman of Maquoketa says wrestling defines Iowa.

The NCAA wrestling championships kick off in Des Moines today (Thursday).  Famed Iowa wrestler Dan Gable appeared in the legislature in support of the move. Gable won a gold medal in the 1972 Olympics and coached at the University of Iowa from 1977 to 1997.

Gov. Terry Branstad has also worked to restore wrestling to the 2020 games with a campaign called “Let’s Keep Wrestling.” The effort has the support of the state’s congressional delegation and nearly 25,000 people have signed an online petition.