With the opening ceremonies for the Beijing Olympics just a few days away, athletes across the world are gearing up to watch the best of the best perform on the largest scale.

But some world class athletes in our area are pulling for big changes, losing their chance to compete almost 100 years ago.

The dairy state has become ground zero for those tugging to get back in the games.

Popular at town festivals, family reunions and on grade school playgrounds across the world, tug of war is not exactly known as the pinnacle of serious competitive sports.

Tug of War International Federation Secretary General Glen Johnson says, "It's not a big money sport. It's not a professional sport. It's just down to earth, grass roots sport."

A sport these women will tell you takes a lot of work. In fact this test of strength and conditioning was actually an Olympic sport until 1920.

Johnson says, "At that time they were taking a lot of sports out, a lot of team sports out, because they felt it was overloaded with athletes."

88 years later Wisconsin is the middle of a rope pulling resurgence, home to the countries tug of war association founder, many here are pulling for changes.

US Amateur Tug of War Association President Shelby Richardson says, "It's a pure sport. It takes human strength. It takes training."

There are a lot of reasons these people think tug of war should be an Olympic sport, probably most importantly is the team.

Richardson says, "There is a lot to overcome, learning how to move your feet right, learning how to move together, learning how to be tight."

All things the International Olympic Committee is considering, recently putting the sport back on track.

Johnson says, "We've got a lot of work to do yet."

A lot of work with the perfect athletes to dig in and pull their arm.

The International Olympic Committee recently gave the sport Olympic recognition which means money for development and a chance to compete in the World Games, the Olympics minor leagues.

But most here don't expect to be back on an Olympic podium anytime sooner than 2020.