By ANDREW LOGUE
REGISTER STAFF WRITER<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“He’s such a vivacious guy, “said Jim Hallihan, executive director of the Iowa Games. “He’s such a refreshing-type person.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Four years later, Gardner completed a remarkable comeback from injuries sustained during a snowmobile accident and a motorcycle wreck.<\/p>\n
He earned a bronze medal at Athens, leaving his shoes on the mat to signal his retirement from the sport.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“Having seen his career, and what he accomplished when he beat that Russian . . . probably the biggest upset in Olympic wrestling history, “Hallihan said.<\/p>\n
Gardner, who lives in the Salt Lake City area, also will be in downtown Des Moines when the Iowa Games torch is ignited.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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