By ANDREW LOGUE
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
Rulon Gardner, a gold-medal wrestler who provided some of the most memorable images of the past two Summer Olympics, will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Iowa Games.
Gardner will address the crowd during opening ceremonies July 15 at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, kicking off the state’s largest amateur sporting event.
“He’s such a vivacious guy, “said Jim Hallihan, executive director of the Iowa Games. “He’s such a refreshing-type person.”
Gardner, a farm kid from Afton, Wyo., gained fame at the 2000 Sydney Olympics when he defeated Russian Alexander Karelin, the most dominant Greco-Roman wrestler in history.
Four years later, Gardner completed a remarkable comeback from injuries sustained during a snowmobile accident and a motorcycle wreck.
He earned a bronze medal at Athens, leaving his shoes on the mat to signal his retirement from the sport.
Hallihan hopes Gardner’s appearance will serve as an inspiration to the 70,000 people who will participate in the Iowa Games this summer and winter.
“Having seen his career, and what he accomplished when he beat that Russian . . . probably the biggest upset in Olympic wrestling history, “Hallihan said.
Gardner, who lives in the Salt Lake City area, also will be in downtown Des Moines when the Iowa Games torch is ignited.
At a glance
WHEN: July 14-17 and 22-24
WHAT: Iowa’s largest amateur sporting event, with an estimated 70,000 competitors during the winter and summer.
WHAT’S NEW: Three sports – dodge ball, strong man competition and 7-on-7 flag football for high schoolers.
DEADLINES: Registration for some events ends on June 1.
SIGN UP : To register, go to www.iowagames.org, or call 1-888-777-8881.
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