Erica Wiebe knows how it feels to doubt and question yourself. Being female in a traditionally male-dominated sport comes with several challenges, and women often have to fight to be respected or valued at a competitive level. In some countries, where traditional gender roles are systematically reinforced, deviating from societal norms is seen as an act of rebellion.

Further to the approval of a series of amendments to the Tokyo 2020 qualification system principles by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Qualification Task Force in April 2020, the review of the International Federation (IF) qualification processes for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and each sport has now been finalised.

On the day new documentary Rulon Gardner Won’t Die premieres on the Olympic Channel, figures past and present reflect on how the extraordinary triumphs and tribulations of one of the Olympic Games’ most enduring personalities continue to shape wrestling in the USA and beyond. 

J'den Cox is an inspiration on the mat. The 2019 freestyle wrestling world champion is partially deaf and suffered from depression but has found a way to thrive.

Amir Al-Awad, an 18-time Syrian champion, had consigned wrestling to the past when he and his family were forced to flee their country in fear in 2011. But, after being inspired by the chance to show his fellow refugees that anything is possible, he returned to the sport he loves and is now targeting a place at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. 

More than a century after women first competed at the Olympic Games, female athlete numbers will finally be at parity with those of the men at Tokyo 2020. The drive towards gender equality – on and off the field of play - has picked up pace in the Olympic Movement in recent years, thanks in part to progressive initiatives by the IOC.

Olympic.org picks out some of the most impressive performances from former Youth Olympic Games (YOG) athletes in recent weeks, as the YOG continue to provide a springboard to the global sporting stage.