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MOSCOW (AP) — The head of Russia's wrestling federation says he has been denied a visa to attend the upcoming world championships in Las Vegas.
United World Wrestling vice-president Mikhail Mamiashvili says on the federation's website that his visa request was denied "without explanation."
Mamiashvili says he is frustrated by the decision because he supported the UWW's initiative to host the worlds in the U.S.
The sport hopes that hosting the championships in such a high-profile city will serve as a showcase ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Messages were left seeking comment from UWW and USA Wrestling.
The 2015 world championships begin Monday and run through Saturday at the Orleans Arena.
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