Greco-Roman (
US) or
Graeco-Roman (
UK)
wrestling is a style of
wrestling that is practiced worldwide. It was contested at the first modern
Olympic Games in 1896 and has been included in every edition of the summer Olympics held since 1908. Two wrestlers are scored for their performance in two three-minute periods, which can be terminated early by a
pin (or fall). This style of
wrestling forbids
holds below the waist; this is the major difference from
freestyle wrestling, the other form of wrestling at the Olympics. This restriction results in an emphasis on
throws because a wrestler cannot use trips to
take an opponent to the ground, or avoid throws by hooking or grabbing the opponent's leg.