Former Penn State wrestler Zain Retherford withdraws from Paris Olympics

Penn State alum and U.S. Olympian Zain Retherford has withdrawn from competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics as a “medical precaution,” ending his opportunity at a bronze medal, USA Wrestling announced Saturday.

According to USA Wrestling, the former Nittany Lion suffered a concussion while training prior to the Olympics and had since recovered. However, during his bout earlier Saturday, his symptoms returned.

“With support of his coaches and in consultation with medical staff, the decision was made for Retherford to withdraw from the tournament,” USA Wrestling wrote.

Retherford lost Saturday to 2022 world champion Rahman Amouzadkhali of Iran, 8-0, in the men’s 65 kg freestyle. But Retherford was set to compete Sunday in repechage, an opportunity for wrestlers who lost to finalists to still potentially compete for a bronze medal. He was slated to face Albania’s Islam Dudaev.

With the medical decision, Retherford’s first competition at the Olympics is officially over.

The two-time Hodge Trophy winner earned his way onto Team USA after winning his weight class at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in April, in front of a home crowd at Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center. He qualified for the Olympics in May after fighting his way through the Last Chance Olympic Qualifier in Istanbul by defeating Niurgun Skriabin of Belarus.

He last wrestled for Penn State in 2017-18 and is 29 years old.

“Following the decision, Retherford expressed his gratitude to the Team USA fans, coaches, support staff and his family for the continued support and encouragement during this time,” USA Wrestling said.