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Rulon Gardner
- Two-time Olympic medalist
- 2000 Olympic gold medalist defeating Aleksander Karelin, who was a three-time gold medalist and unbeaten in 13 years leading up to Sydney
- 2004 Olympic bronze medalist
- 2001 World champion; three-time National champion (1995, 1997, 2001)
- Named 2000 USOC SportsMan of the Year award; in 2001, received the Arete Award, U.S. Olympic Spirit Award, Jesse Owens Award, ESPYAward “U.S. Olympic Athlete of the Year,” Sullivan Award, Citizenship through Sports Alliance award
- Selected to carry the U.S. flag at the Closing Ceremony in Sydney
- Began wrestling when he and his brother, Reynolds, would wrestle to see who had to do the most chores on their dairy farm in Afton, Wyoming
- Started participating in wrestling camps at six years of age
- Awarded a scholarship to Ricks College in Rexburg, ID; later received a scholarship to Division I University of Nebraska where he earned a degree in physical education
- Reynolds, one of his eight siblings, wrestled at Oregon State University; was ranked sixth in freestyle in 1994-95
- Has appeared on Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Oprah, Rosie O'Donnell and countless other television shows since his rise to stardom in 2000
- Hobbies are rollerblading and relaxing
- Youngest of nine children
- Plans to teach and coach wrestling after his career
- Had the middle toe of his right foot amputated in March 2002 after suffering severely frostbitten feet when lost on a snowmobile trip
- Wrote “Never stop pushing,” which his autobiography to be released the summer of 2005
After winning his bronze medal in Athens, Gardner retired from wrestling and left his wrestling shoes on the mat, which is the traditional way for wrestlers to signal their last match. He is now pursuing a motivational speaking career. With the new start of Real Pro Wrestling league, the first Olympic style-wrestling league, Gardner can be seen on TV as a color commentator. Even after retirement, Gardner can’t walk to far away from the sport he loves.
Related Links
Training Day: Spend a day with wrestler Rulon Gardner
Feature: Rulon Gardner views night in the snow as an 'opportunity'
Tips: Rulon Gardner's tips on throwing the perfect cartwheel
Official Web site: Rulon Gardner
To his family and friends at home after winning the gold medal in 2000: "I couldn't have won a medal without my family. God's hand blessed me by getting them there. This medal is everyone who lives in this valley's. I love you all, and we share it."
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Height: 6'2
Born: 8/16/1971
Hometown: Afton, WY
Resides: Colorado Springs, CO.
Sport: Wrestling
Event: Greco-Roman
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