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FILE – In this July 14, 2011, file photo, Rulon Gardner takes a breather while training in Colorado Springs, Colo., for a comeback at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. An Olympic Channel documentary debuting Wednesday, July 22, 2020, chronicles the highs and lows of Rulon Gardner in the 20 years since his stunning gold-medal victory in the 2000 Olympics.
FILE – In this Oct. 25, 2014, file photo, Rulon Gardner’s medals are shown at an auctioneer’s warehouse in Salt Lake City, Utah. An Olympic Channel documentary debuting Wednesday, July 22, 2020, chronicles the highs and lows of Rulon Gardner in the 20 years since his stunning gold-medal victory in the 2000 Olympics.
FILE – In this Sept. 27, 2000, file photo, Rulon Gardner, right, of the United States, holds the arm of Aleksandr Karelin, of Russia, during the final bout in the 130kg class of Greco-Roman wrestling event at the Summer Olympic Games in Sydney. An Olympic Channel documentary debuting Wednesday, July 22, 2020, chronicles the highs and lows of Rulon Gardner in the 20 years since his stunning gold-medal victory in the 2000 Olympics.
FILE – In this Sept. 27, 2000, file photo, USA’s Rulon Gardner waves the American flag following his gold medal win against three-time Olympic gold medalist Alexander Karelin, of Russia, in the Greco-Roman 130 kg final wrestling match at the Summer Games in Sydney. An Olympic Channel documentary debuting Wednesday, July 22, 2020, chronicles the highs and lows of Rulon Gardner in the 20 years since his stunning gold-medal victory in the 2000 Olympics.
FILE – In this Sept. 27, 2000, file photo, Rulon Gardner, right, of the United States, holds the arm of Aleksandr Karelin, of Russia, during the final bout in the 130kg class of Greco-Roman wrestling event at the Summer Olympic Games in Sydney. Gardner is living a quiet life, just the way he likes it. He is 48 now, sells insurance and has a second job coaching wrestling at a Salt Lake City-area high school. It has been 20 years since Gardner, at 2,000-to-1 odds, beat three-time gold medalist Karelin in the Greco Roman heavyweight final at the Sydney games in one of the greatest upsets in sports history.
FILE – In this Aug. 25, 2004, file photo, Rulon Gardner, of United States, walks away after taking off his shoes to symbolize his retirement after defeating Sajad Barzi, of Iran, during men’s GrecoRoman 120kg wrestling bronze medal bout at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. An Olympic Channel documentary debuting Wednesday, July 22, 2020, chronicles the highs and lows of Rulon Gardner in the 20 years since his stunning gold-medal victory in the 2000 Olympics.
FILE – In this Sept. 27, 2000, file photo, Rulon Gardner, of the United States, waves a U.S. flag following his gold-medal win against three-time Olympic gold medalist Aleksandr Karelin, of Russia, in the Greco-Roman 130kg final wrestling match at the Summer Games in Sydney. Gardner is living a quiet life, just the way he likes it. He is 48 now, sells insurance and has a second job coaching wrestling at a Salt Lake City-area high school. It has been 20 years since Gardner, at 2,000-to-1 odds, beat three-time gold medalist Karelin in the Greco Roman heavyweight final at the Sydney games in one of the greatest upsets in sports history.
Rulon Gardner is living a quiet life, just the way he likes it.
He is 48 now, sells insurance and has a second job coaching wrestling at a Salt Lake City-area high school.
It’s been 20 years since Gardner, a 2,000-to-1 underdog, beat three-time gold medalist Aleksandr Karelin in the Greco Roman heavyweight final at the Sydney Games in one of the greatest upsets in sports history.
His story didn’t end there. Not by a long shot.
“My life,” he said in an interview, “has been a roller coaster.”
Winning gold was the start of a ride that began with the farm boy from Wyoming becoming an instant celebrity.
Just as he was easing back into his old life, he was the talk of the nation again when a harrowing snowmobiling outing left him with frostbite so severe it cost him a toe and all feeling in his feet. From there followed a motorcycle accident, an improbable comeback to take bronze in 2004, a plane crash, weighing in topless at 474 pounds on “The Biggest Loser” reality show and losing millions after getting taken in a real estate scam.
All that and more are chronicled in “RULON,” a documentary coming soon on the Olympic Channel.
Adam Irving, the director, said he was 18 at the time of the 2000 Olympics and unfamiliar with Gardner’s story until he was approached about making the film.
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