Rulon Gardner

Rulon Gardner was born on August 16, 1971 in Afton, Wyoming. Gardner is the youngest 9 children born to Reed and Virginia Gardner. Raised on a dairy farm where they grew their own crops and milked cows twice a day, there was never a shortage of work to be done. School did not come easy for Gardner. He struggled with reading speed and comprehension but with the help and support of his family, Gardner was able to complete his schoolwork. With a great deal of determination (and frustration) Gardner successfully completed high school and earned a wrestling scholarship from Ricks College. From Ricks College, Gardner received a division 1 scholarship to wrestle for the University of Nebraska.

Gardner's wrestling career began when he was 6 years old. For one week every year, Star Valley would have a wrestling camp, which always concluded with a tournament on the weekend. Gardner participated in this from age 6 until junior high school. Gardner began a regular wrestling season while in junior high and continued until he graduated from the University of Nebraska.

Graduating from the University of Nebraska with a degree in physical education is something Gardner is very proud of. After graduating from the University of Nebraska, Gardner continued his Olympic wrestling pursuit with full-time dedication. Winning the Gold in Sydney did not come without dedication and sacrifice. Gardner has sacrificed much in order to reach his Olympic aspirations.

When Gardner won the Olympic gold medal for wrestling in Sydney, his victory rocked the world. Gardner shocked the world in Sydney when he defeated the previously undefeated “Russian Bear” in the “Miracle on the Mat. “It was more than just a simple tale of success - it was the story of an underdog who rose to unimagined heights of accomplishment and glory. An athlete with a history of notable but obscure success, Gardner became a household name - and the pride of a nation - when he took Olympic gold from the hands of Alexander Karelin, an athlete who had been undefeated since 1985. In a modern-day David and Goliath, Gardner found himself fighting a match of mythic proportions - the United States versus former archenemy Russia and a first-time Olympian versus a veteran three-time Olympic gold medalist. Gardner shares with his audiences the sense of determination, the self-confidence and the fighting spirit that gave him the strength to stand up against seemingly unbeatable odds - and win.

Gardner’s charmed life nearly came to an end, however, when he was lost in the Wyoming wilderness after a snowmobile accident. Surviving in sub-zero temperatures, sopping wet, for hours, Gardner in the end suffered the amputation of a toe. After the 2000 Olympics he suffered a series of injuries including an amputated toe and a dislocated wrist. He was also in a motorcycle accident. Despite his injuries, he won the US Olympic trials for his weight class and competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics. He came back to win Bronze in Athens, when he ceremoniously left his shoes on the mat and retired after the match.

Aside from his Olympic medals, his achievements include: US Champion 2001; James E Sullivan Award for amateur athlete of the year, 2001: Gold medal, World Wrestling Championships, 2001: Jesse Owens Award, 2001: United States Olympic Committee Sportsman of the Year, 2001: ESPY award for US Male Olympic athlete of the year, 2001: Pan American Games Champion, 1998: US Champion, 1997: World Cup Champion 1996: US Champion, 1995.

Gardner has never dwelled on the negatives but instead takes each challenge and uses it to improve his life. Gardner shares with his audiences the sense of determination, the self-confidence and the fighting spirit that gave him the strength to stand up against seemingly unbeatable odds - and win. He has experienced wins as well as losses in his life. Gardner performs motivational speeches for corporations, schools and community groups.

Gardner authored an autobiography entitled "Never Stop Pushing: My Life from a Wyoming Farm to the Olympic Medal Stand." Avalon Publishing released his book on September 6, 2005.